World Cup player signs petition calling for protection from extreme heat

Norway midfielder Morten Thorsby says football will suffer if FIFA does not improve protections against extreme heat at the upcoming World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Thorsby is part of a group of current and former professional players who wrote to FIFA urging stronger heat protocols before the expanded tournament. The request follows warnings from leading scientists and medical experts that current measures are insufficient and could endanger player safety. Thorsby frames the issue as both player welfare and FIFA’s responsibility toward people and the planet. Heat is expected to be a major concern, with researchers warning that dangerous temperatures may occur at most stadiums. FIFA says it has enhanced protocols, including mandatory three-minute cooling breaks in every half, and states it is committed to health and safety. The players argue FIFA should do more, including longer cooling breaks and clearer rules for delaying or postponing matches in extreme conditions.

"Norway midfielder Morten Thorsby says "everybody in football loses" if Fifa does not do more to protect players from extreme heat at this summer's World Cup. Thorsby is among a group of current and former professional footballers who have written to football's world governing body, external calling for stronger heat protocols before the expanded tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico. The letter backs concerns raised last week by leading scientists and medical experts, who warned that Fifa's current heat safety measures should be strengthened and will risk player safety."

""It's also a message to Fifa - they have to do more to take care of people and the planet," the 30 year-old told BBC Sport. "They have a huge responsibility and they're not doing enough in terms of how big their impact and their influence is." Thorsby, who plays for Italian Serie A club Cremonese and has campaigned on climate issues in football for more than a decade, says the issue is about more than player welfare."

"Heat is predicted to be an issue, with researchers warning that temperatures at 14 of the 16 stadiums being used could exceed dangerous levels. Fifa has said it has enhanced heat protocols for the tournament, including mandatory three-minute cooling breaks in every half of every match, regardless of the conditions. A spokesperson said: "Fifa is committed to protecting the health and safety of players, referees, fans, volunteers and staff.""

"But the players' letter says Fifa should go further, supporting calls from medical experts for stronger protections, including longer cooling breaks and clearer protocols for delaying or postponing games in extreme conditions. "For the players, it's an obvious problem of heat impacting the performance. Obviously the intensity of the game goes down," Thorsby said."

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