A Norway international expected to feature in the World Cup has joined a group of current and former soccer players urging FIFA to implement stronger heat safety measures during the tournament. Morten Thorsby, who is likely to be selected for Norway’s first men's World Cup appearance since 1998, is among the signatories of an open letter coordinated by the New Weather Institute.
Thorsby founded the “We Play Green” movement in 2020, which encourages soccer players to advocate for environmental and climate action. The letter, addressed to FIFA, states that “it is essential that the best available medical expertise is put to practice” at the World Cup, which will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico starting June 11.
The letter echoes concerns raised by a group of leading health experts who previously wrote to FIFA about “worrying levels of heat stress” that players might face. The experts argued that FIFA’s current heat-stress guidelines are inadequate and could put players at risk of heat injury. They called for measures such as six-minute cooling breaks during matches and ensuring locker rooms have proper equipment for aggressive pre-game and halftime cooling.
Research has indicated that 14 of the 16 host cities will experience extreme heat levels potentially dangerous to players, officials, and spectators. Wet bulb globe temperatures, which account for humidity, wind speed, and sun angle, could exceed 90°F (32°C) in Monterrey, Mexico, during afternoon matches, while Miami is noted for its particularly high humidity.
FIFA has already established a Heat Illness Mitigation and Management Task Force comprising medical and operational experts. The organization has implemented several protocols, including mandatory three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half, regardless of weather conditions, and climate-controlled benches for staff and substitutes. FIFA also stated that climate conditions have been factored into the match schedule.
