Extreme heat is forcing soccer to change its rules
As global temperatures rise, scientists are warning that traditional match schedules and cooling breaks are no longer enough to protect elite athletes from heatstroke.
The 2026 World Cup is on track to be one of the hottest sporting events ever recorded. The heat is so intense that researchers from institutions like Brunel University have formally petitioned FIFA to overhaul its safety protocols. They argue that the current mitigations, such as brief cooling breaks, are insufficient when players are expected to perform at peak intensity in extreme conditions.
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