What World Cup Heat Measures Can Teach Us About Heat Stress In The Workplace

The men’s FIFA World Cup is set to begin on June 11 in North America. While anticipation is high, scientists are increasingly concerned that current heat safety measures fall short and could put players at serious risk. In an open letter, international experts in health, climate and sports performance urged FIFA to introduce stronger safety protocols including longer cooling breaks and stricter rules that delay matches in extreme conditions.

According to the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) – which measures physical heat stress by combining heat and humidity – 28°C (~82° F) is considered the point at which heat stress becomes a significant concern for elite athletes. FIFA’s emergency care manual states that when WBGT readings approach or exceed 32°C (~90°F), match organizers must agree on “what precautions need to be taken to prevent any heat-related illness”. Forecasts indicate that 14 of the 16 World Cup stadiums may surpass the 28°C threshold, and in four host cities (Dallas, Houston, Miami and Monterrey), WGBT levels could rise above the more serious limit of 32°C. The combination of extreme heat, humidity, wind speed and direct sunlight places players in these locations at the highest risk of severe heat stress.

While these football matches are in the headlines, they reflect a far more widespread challenge. As climate change fuels increasingly severe heatwaves, implementing additional safeguards against occupational heat stress has become an annual necessity across many industries. A World Health Organization report from 2025 concluded that workers globally need stronger protection from extreme heat, with agriculture and construction workers facing the highest risk. Several European countries have already introduced measures similar to those now proposed for the footballers. During Switzerland’s 2023 heatwave, construction activities were halted in Geneva and Ticino, while in 2025, the Italian government signed an emergency decree prohibiting outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day.

World Cup footballers may face extreme temperatures, but their exposure is limited to 90-minute matches. However, agricultural and construction workers often spend hours in these conditions, making robust heat-risk management essential. To support this, organizations can leverage a range of digital tools to monitor future heat levels and plan workers’ shifts accordingly. For example, IoT platforms – such as those from Attune – can track environmental variables including temperature and heat stress indicators, while critical event management (CEM) solutions provide real-time alerts and communication, even if they are not specifically designed for heat mitigation. Lightweight wearable devices – such as Bodytrak’s ear-worn device and SlateSafety’s armband – can also monitor bodily vitals, to assess an individual’s physiological response to heat.

The World Cup is a global spectacle, where every team is supported by leading medical staff dedicated to protecting player welfare. Outdoor manual labourers work in similar heat without access to such expertise. It is essential that firms operating in these environments implement rigorous heat stress plans to protect their employees. To explore the issue further, read our reports on worker health and safety.