** Both French and English versions of my interview are available at the bottom of the page.**
Like the previous FIFA World Cup in 2022 in Qatar, high temperatures will be a hallmark of this new edition organized in Canada-Mexico-United States in 2026. Indeed, the threshold deemed unsafe for play according to FIPPRO (WBGT 28°C), with five games expected to take place under these conditions in this edition World Weather Attribution Report.. These temperatures could potentially harm players’ performance and health. Moreover, they may also impact the health of fans attending the matches in stadiums and the organizational staff. Media coverage has been significant, helping to highlight the issue, although not always in line with the scientific evidence currently available. Some point out that cooling breaks are merely a marketing tool to insert advertisements, while others go beyond the scientific evidence by concluding negative effects that have not yet been demonstrated. In short, significant avenues of research and innovation will need to be pursued by 2030 to ensure optimal conditions for players’ performance, but also for their health, as well as that of referees, organizational staff, and the thousands of supporters in attendance. At a time when the 2030 host countries are experiencing historic heatwaves, do these adaptation solutions also consider the environmental impact of one of the world’s largest sporting events? This is far from certain, especially as matches are already being relocated to Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, which will celebrate 100 years since the first FIFA World Cup was played in South America, along with host countries Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. Such a decision will inevitably lead to increased greenhouse gas emissions from staff, logistics, and supporters, ultimately raising global temperatures. Is the popularity of the world’s most followed sporting events truly more valuable than a sustainable planet? Can these concepts not coexist harmoniously?
In short, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by a journalist on this topic. It was a short interview that didn’t allow for in-depth discussion, but was to lay the groundwork for a broader reflection on organizing such events to ensure optimal and safe conditions for players’ performance, as well as for fans and staff.
French version
English version
Back to top