World Cup Players Push FIFA for Heat Safety Protections

When temperatures soar above safe levels, everyone loses—the players, the fans, and the beautiful game itself. That's the message from a growing group of professional footballers who just wrote to FIFA asking for stronger heat protections at this summer's World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

Norway midfielder Morten Thorsby is leading the effort alongside current and former players from both men's and women's football. Their timing matters: researchers warn that 14 of the 16 World Cup stadiums could exceed dangerous temperature levels during matches.

FIFA has introduced mandatory three-minute cooling breaks in every half, regardless of conditions. But the players say that's not enough.

Thorsby, who plays for Italian club Cremonese and has championed climate action in football for over a decade, sees this as bigger than just player welfare. "Football is also an entertainment industry," he told BBC Sport. "The sport loses its value if the players are not able to perform at their best."

The letter supports calls from medical experts for longer cooling breaks and clearer rules about delaying or postponing games when heat becomes extreme. Thorsby points out that intense heat doesn't just threaten player safety—it reduces the quality of play that fans come to see.

Norway just qualified for their first World Cup in 28 years, and Thorsby is expected to feature. He knows firsthand that speaking up on controversial issues takes courage, especially for high-profile athletes who face intense scrutiny.

Why This Inspires

Thorsby founded the We Play Green foundation to encourage more footballers to engage with environmental issues. He's honest about the challenges: many players fear backlash and attention that comes with taking a stand.

But he also sees enormous potential. "Football players are the most influential people on the planet," he said. "If we could gather momentum among the players, we could really accelerate the green shift within football."

His perspective balances urgency with hope. While he criticized the environmental impact of Qatar 2022, he believes the World Cup still serves a vital purpose. "In the times that we're in today, with such a fragmented world, I think a World Cup is extremely important in terms of world peace," he explained.

FIFA says it remains committed to protecting everyone involved in the tournament and that climate conditions informed scheduling and stadium selection. The governing body plans to reinvest nearly 90% of its projected $14 billion revenue back into global football development.

When athletes use their platform to protect both people and performance, everyone wins.