In less than a month, players from across the world will be playing the World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Over 39 days and 104 matches, 48 teams will train, play, and travel, sometimes under weather conditions that health experts have deemed dangerous for players' health.
Professional football players are calling on the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to introduce stronger protections against dangerous extreme temperatures during the men’s World Cup 2026.
In an open letter, players across the world warn that heat stress can cause reduced physical performance and increase risks to player health.
The signatories include players and former players representing clubs and national teams from Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Gibraltar, Grenada, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
