Starting June 11, the World Cup players face serious health risks due to extreme heat. Over 20 experts in medicine, climate, and sports have issued a warning.
In an open letter to FIFA, experts deemed current measures insufficient and called for an urgent revision of policies to protect athletes in extreme climates.
Scientists are especially concerned about matches in the US and Mexico. At 14 of 16 stadiums, temperatures could reach dangerous levels. In June and July, average daily temperatures in southern US and northern Mexico range from 30-35°C, sometimes hitting 40°C.
They propose rescheduling matches to evening or other days when WBGT exceeds 28°C, and extending cooling breaks from 3 to 6 minutes. Referees, who are often older, also need protection.
