Beth Mead: If we don't adapt to climate change, football becomes a privilege, not a right

"I'll never forget stepping out on to the pitch in Switzerland for the Euro 2025 tournament. The air felt heavy not with pressure or expectation, but with heat. It was more than 30C (86f) that day. It makes your lungs sting, makes you feel like you're running through water. In the England camp, we had done everything to prepare. Ice vests before training,"

"But when the whistle blew, no protocol could change the fact that the climate itself has changed. Beth Mead (left) and Lucy Bronze take part in cryotherapy treatment at England's Geneva Euro 2025 training camp in July. Photograph: Harriet Lander/The FA/Getty Images The tempo of the game slowed. Recovery took longer. Every sprint, every tackle, costs a little bit more."

"My role as a forward with England had changed I wasn't always starting, but I was part of what we call the finishers. You've got to be ready to go into any moment, any position, even one you don't normally play. In Switzerland I dropped into midfield, switched roles mid-game, That willingness to adapt is what makes a team succeed. We went on to win the tournament back-to-back European champions."

Heat above 30C at Euro 2025 in Switzerland caused stinging lungs, a feeling of running through water, slowed game tempo, and longer recovery times. England used ice vests, hydration breaks, modified warm-ups, cryotherapy, and Slush Puppies to cool core temperatures and manage exertion. Training incorporated ice-cold towels, extra rest moments, and constant hydration reminders while staff planned detailed heat protocols. Player roles required flexibility, with forwards dropping into midfield and switching roles mid-game. Matches and training schedules shifted because of heatwaves. The tournament outcome included back-to-back European champions alongside recognition that climate change is already reshaping football operations.

Read at www.theguardian.com