# 1 in 5 World Cup matches hit dangerous heat levels, players' union warns

A new study reveals that nearly one in five World Cup matches were played in heat conditions deemed unsafe by the global players' union. The union has warned that such temperatures pose serious health risks to athletes. This finding raises concerns about player welfare and the need for scheduling adjustments in future tournaments.

**Importance:** 3/5

## Sources

### World
- [The Guardian World](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/16/world-cup-heat-players-union) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:01:37 GMT