فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
With the increasing occurrence of extreme weather events worldwide, football, the most popular sport globally, is facing mounting challenges directly linked to climate change. From rising temperatures and violent storms to sudden weather fluctuations, players, clubs, and organizing bodies find themselves needing to adapt to a new reality that is forcefully impacting the playing fields.
According to a report published by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) in 2024, the rising temperatures during the summer seasons have become a noticeable factor affecting player performance and health. The report highlighted that matches played in conditions exceeding 32°C (89.6°F) increase the likelihood of players suffering from heat stress by 50%. This has prompted several continental federations, particularly in Europe and Asia, to reconsider match timings and reschedule them during periods of extreme heat.
On the other hand, sports infrastructure is also threatened by weather fluctuations. In recent years, stadiums in Germany, Britain, and France have experienced unprecedented flooding, causing match postponements and damage to pitch surfaces. In Morocco, heavy rainfall during the winter of 2023 led to several postponed matches in the national league and delays in the match schedules in certain cities.
Experts also warn that rising sea levels could pose a threat to stadiums and sports facilities near coastal areas, especially in island nations and major coastal cities. In a statement to Reuters, British sustainability expert David Goldberg explained that “around 7% of major European stadiums will be at risk of coastal flooding in the coming decades unless urgent adaptation measures are taken.”
Top clubs have already started taking proactive measures. Some stadiums have adopted advanced water drainage systems and improved the resilience of natural turf to thermal fluctuations. Additionally, innovative cooling and air-conditioning systems have been implemented in enclosed or retractable-roof stadiums. However, these solutions remain very costly, putting smaller clubs at a disadvantage in facing climate change.
For players, rising temperatures pose serious health challenges. The International Football Association Medical Group (FIFA-Med) stresses that current medical protocols need to be updated to include additional breaks during matches and precise player assessments before and during games played in hot conditions.
As major tournaments approach in regions vulnerable to extreme heat, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, adapting to climate change has become a primary agenda item for organizers. Some federations are already considering redesigning tournament schedules to avoid peak heat periods or relying on better-equipped stadiums.
In the same vein, several environmental organizations, including Greenpeace and Climate Action Network, have called on sports federations to incorporate climate considerations into their football development strategies, both in terms of infrastructure and travel practices, to reduce the carbon footprint of tournaments.
As football continues to expand globally and open up to new markets, its future success seems likely to depend not only on stars and results but also on how well it can adapt to a world that is changing at an unprecedented pace due to climate change.
Source: Fes News Media
