Global footballers’ union FIFPro has called on FIFA to introduce longer half-time breaks at the 2026 World Cup, warning that extreme heat could pose serious health risks to players.
The demand follows several heat-related challenges at the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, with players and coaches raising concerns about high midday temperatures. FIFPro said conditions in some venues had become “brutal,” describing the tournament as a “wake-up call.”
According to a FIFPro study, six of the 16 venues slated for the 2026 World Cup, including Miami, pose an “extremely high risk” of heat-stress injuries. The study noted that most matches at the Club World Cup were played around noon or mid-afternoon, exposing players to dangerous heat levels.
“This tournament is probably a really good wake-up call for everyone to look at the scheduling of matches in future tournaments,” said Alexander Bielefeld, FIFPro’s Director of Policy and Strategic Relations.
Atletico Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente, after his team’s 4–0 loss to PSG in Pasadena, called the conditions “impossible, a terrible heat.”
FIFPro General Secretary Alex Phillips revealed the union had urged FIFA to avoid scheduling matches during the hottest periods of the day. However, he admitted that commercial priorities, such as European broadcast timings, have often taken precedence.
“We make a submission not to kick off at certain times, but then we have no veto,” Phillips explained.
Still, he acknowledged that FIFA had been “quite responsive” during the Club World Cup, providing more water, cold towels, and rest measures to support players.
FIFPro’s Medical Director, Vincent Gouttebarge, proposed extending half-time from 15 to 20 minutes in high-heat conditions and called for more frequent cooling breaks—possibly every 15 minutes—instead of the current 30-minute mark.
In addition to heat, several Club World Cup games have faced delays due to U.S. weather protocols requiring halts for potential thunderstorms. Though disruptive, FIFPro said it supports the safety-first approach.
With the next World Cup taking place across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and the 2030 edition set for Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, FIFPro emphasized the need for immediate planning to ensure player welfare remains central.
“The safety of players must be prioritized above all else,” Bielefeld said.
