As scorching temperatures continue to impact matches at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the United States, the global players’ union, FIFPro, has formally urged FIFA to implement five key changes to protect players at the 2026 World Cup in North America.
With the next men’s World Cup just a year away, FIFPro is raising concerns that weather conditions during this summer’s Club World Cup could mirror what players may face across host cities in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Alexander Bielefeld, FIFPro’s Director of Global Policy & Strategic Relations, outlined a five-point proposal aimed at improving player safety in extreme heat.
The most notable proposal calls for extending halftime from the traditional 15 minutes to 20 minutes. FIFPro also recommends increasing the frequency of hydration breaks, suggesting a pause every 15 minutes of play—resulting in four cooling breaks per match.
But that’s not all. According to FIFPro’s own research, six of the 16 host cities for the 2026 World Cup present an “extremely high risk” of heat-related injuries. As a result, the union is pushing for matches to be scheduled during cooler times of day, even if it conflicts with optimal broadcast windows.
Federico Dimarco #32 of FC Intern Milan wipes his head with a towel during a cooling break during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match against Fluminense. (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
This proposal would go hand-in-hand with the implementation of stricter pre-tournament medical evaluations and clearly defined contingency plans in case of extreme weather alerts.
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Ongoing talks with FIFA
FIFPro Secretary General Alex Phillips confirmed that conversations with FIFA are already underway. However, he acknowledged that television audiences in Europe will remain a major factor in final scheduling decisions.
Despite the concerns, the union did praise FIFA for providing players with cold towels and access to water during Club World Cup 2025 matches—amenities they hope will remain standard practice going forward.
Mounting complaints from players and coaches
FIFPro’s stance comes after a wave of complaints from players and coaches, many of whom were forced to compete in temperatures exceeding 90°F. Paris Saint–Germain manager Luis Enrique voiced his frustration following his side’s match in Los Angeles against Atletico Madrid, stating, “The game was clearly influenced by the temperature”. After the same match, Atleti midfielder Marcos Llorente added, “It was unbearably hot—I couldn’t stop and start properly”.
Other clubs took more discreet action. Both Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich opted to have their substitutes watch recent group-stage matches from inside the locker room to avoid prolonged heat exposure.
