Why heat, travel and sleep could challenge teams as much as the opposition at the World Cup
Experts warn the expanded 48-team format could strain player welfare, with 10 venues facing very high heat risk and nearly half the group games disrupting sleep.
- With 48 teams competing across 16 cities in three countries, the 2026 World Cup presents unprecedented logistical challenges beyond on-field competition. Experts warn that 10 of the tournament's venues face "very high risk" of extreme heat stress, with FIFA's safety thresholds under scrutiny.
- Concerns intensified last month when 20 international experts sent an open letter to FIFA calling its heat policy "inadequate." This followed the "Pitches in Peril" climate report from Football for Future and Common Goal, which identified 10 venues facing "very high risk" of extreme heat stress.
- Players face disrupted sleep schedules due to 13 kickoff times across four time zones, with nearly half of group-stage matches starting between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. Central European Time. Dominic Rae, Senior First Team Physiotherapist at Al Nasr Football Club, emphasizes that maintaining familiar routines is critical for managing travel's performance impact.
- England has reportedly brought customized "sleep kits" to its Kansas City base, including cooling pillows and mattress toppers tailored to each player's body type. Rae notes that sleep is the "most important tool" for recovery, making such interventions vital for elite players managing heat and travel stress.
- FIFA maintains it is "committed to protecting the health and safety of all players," grouping teams into regional Western, Central and Eastern clusters to mitigate travel demands. The organization continues monitoring conditions in real time, integrating Wet Bulb Globe Temperature surveillance and standing ready to apply contingency protocols.
13 Articles
13 Articles
The opening week of the World Cup will begin with intense rains and a heat wave in several states of the country.The National Weather Service (SMN) of the National Water Commission (Conagua) reported that during Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 June the rainy season will persist on much of the national territory, while the heat wave will continue to affect various states of the country with temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius.
With the World Cup about to start on June 11, the expectation grows so it will be the biggest tournament in the history of the competition.
Heat, altitude, travel: Why 2026 World Cup could be the toughest tournament in history
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will challenge teams with a rare combination of extreme heat, altitude, long-distance travel and time-zone shifts across the US, Mexico and Canada
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