World Cup matches played in potentially dangerous heat as players’ union makes climate warning

Nine matches in the World Cup group stage were played amid potentially dangerous heat and humidity, a Guardian analysis shows, as global players’ union Fifpro warned that heat would have to “play a bigger part” in the sport’s future scheduling decisions. The findings come as likely record-breaking heat and humidity will hit the midwest and eastern US this week and could make conditions even more challenging for players and fans at some games. The Guardian’s latest analysis of conditions looked at the World Cup’s 72-game group stage, which ended on Saturday last week, and found an estimated nine matches were played in conditions of severe heat that the union Fitpfo has previously said should trigger the delay or postponement of games. An additional 13 may have been played in cities with temperatures beyond that level of heat, but where stadiums were cooled by air conditioning. These matches were played amid wet bulb globe temperatures (WBGT) that may have been at or over 28C (82F) or above, according to data for the place and time of the games – conditions Fifpro has argued should trigger the delay or postponement of games. The two hottest games in a non-air-conditioned venue were both played at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. During Uruguay’s 2-2 draw with Cape Verde on 21 June, the wet-bulb globe temperature may have reached or exceeded 33C, surpassing the previous tournament high of an estimated 32.9C recorded six days earlier, when Uruguay drew 1-1 with Saudi Arabia. …