Extreme Weather, Unseen Risks: World Cup Workers Face Scorching Heat
As the 2026 World Cup kicks off in 16 host cities across the United States, including 11 in the south, labor advocates and climate experts warn that the workers making the tournament possible could face serious heat-related risks. Thousands of workers are expected to labor in conditions exceeding recommended heat-exposure limits, putting them at risk of heat exhaustion and other illnesses. The stakes are high: heat is the deadliest form of extreme weather, and workers at previous World Cups have suffered and even died in sweltering heat.
“It’s going to be extremely hot, and you just cannot leave people unprotected or you’re going to deal with a lot of injuries,” said Jonathan Alingu, co-executive director of Central Florida Jobs With Justice, which has been calling for worker protections at the Miami games. “Or, God forbid, something even worse.” The Fifa tournament is being played across cities where temperatures during games could top 85F or even 90F, posing a significant risk to workers.
A recent study published this week by researchers at the University of Georgia assessed historical weather conditions and wet-bulb globe temperatures, a measure of heat stress accounting for temperature, humidity, and wind speed. The study found that southern host cities pose the greatest risks, with cities like Miami, Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta facing above-normal temperatures. Even cooler locations, such as New York and Philadelphia, may still experience unusually high temperatures.
The study highlights the importance of working conditions in determining heat-related risks. Stadiums without air conditioning, such as venues in Miami, New York, Philadelphia, and Kansas City, may be more dangerous. Workers carrying heavy loads, performing physical labor, or wearing extra fabric may be more vulnerable to heat illness and injury. Staff who spend long periods in direct sunlight, including security personnel, may face elevated risks as well.
Measures such as mandated breaks and access to water and shade can help protect workers from scorching temperatures, said Jordan Barab, former deputy assistant secretary of labor at the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Osha). “We’ve known for decades, if not centuries, how to protect workers against heat-related illness and death,” he said. “It’s not that hard, it’s not that expensive, but there are far too many employers who are still neglecting those precautions, and far too many workers who are getting sick and dying.”
Fifa, the governing body of the World Cup, can promote safety through host-city agreements, venue-operating requirements, and contractor standards. However, the organization does not directly control employment conditions, which are governed by host countries, local organizers, stadium authorities, and contractors. “It is also important for city governments and the organizations themselves to ensure these protections are in place,” said Margaret Morrissey-Basler, a senior adviser of occupational safety at the University of Connecticut’s Korey Stringer Institute.
Fifa has taken steps to mitigate the risks, including scheduling many matches for late afternoon and evening and deploying cooling measures such as shaded areas, misting systems, and expanded water distribution. The organization will also implement work-rest schedules, station trained medical personnel at every match, monitor weather conditions in real time, and rely on a taskforce of heat experts. However, worker advocates fear that these efforts may not be enough to eliminate heat-related risks.
“I hope, we hope, that they are able to follow through on all that,” said Luisangel Rodriguez, spokesperson for SEIU Local 1, which represents some staff at the Kansas City stadium hosting World Cup matches. “Let’s see.” Labor activists are calling on Fifa and host cities to do more to protect workers from the dangers of heat.
As the World Cup continues, the spotlight will be on the safety of workers who are making the tournament possible. With temperatures soaring and heat-related risks on the rise, it is imperative that Fifa, host cities, and local organizers take concrete steps to protect these workers. The stakes are high, and the consequences of inaction could be devastating.
Protecting the Unseen: The Struggle for Worker Safety
The struggle for worker safety is a long-standing one, and the World Cup is no exception. Labor advocates and climate experts have been warning about the risks of heat-related illnesses for decades. However, despite these warnings, many workers continue to face unacceptable risks on the job. In the case of the World Cup, workers are facing a perfect storm of high temperatures, long working hours, and inadequate protections.
The World Cup is a massive undertaking that requires the labor of thousands of workers. From stadium maintenance to food service, these workers are the backbone of the tournament. However, their safety is often an afterthought. In many cases, workers are forced to labor in conditions that exceed recommended heat-exposure limits, putting them at risk of heat exhaustion and other illnesses.
The situation is exacerbated by the fact that many workers are not unionized and therefore lack the protections and bargaining power to negotiate better working conditions. This is particularly true for migrant workers, who are often vulnerable to exploitation and neglect. As Yareliz Mendez-Zamora, an immigrant rights organizer in Miami, noted, “Even if the games start after 6pm or after 7pm, here in Miami it can still be dangerously hot during that time.”
A Call to Action: Ensuring Worker Safety
As the World Cup continues, it is imperative that Fifa, host cities, and local organizers take concrete steps to protect workers from the dangers of heat. This includes implementing effective heat safety protocols, providing workers with access to water, shade, and cooling measures, and ensuring that workers are not forced to labor in conditions that exceed recommended heat-exposure limits.
Labor activists are calling on Fifa to do more to protect workers from the dangers of heat. “We’ve known for decades, if not centuries, how to protect workers against heat-related illness and death,” said Jordan Barab, former deputy assistant secretary of labor at the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Osha). “It’s not that hard, it’s not that expensive, but there are far too many employers who are still neglecting those precautions, and far too many workers who are getting sick and dying.”
The struggle for worker safety is a long-standing one, and the World Cup is no exception. However, with the spotlight on worker safety, there is a unique opportunity for Fifa, host cities, and local organizers to take concrete steps to protect workers from the dangers of heat. It is time to put worker safety first and ensure that the World Cup is a safe and healthy event for all.
A Future of Heat and Uncertainty
As the World Cup comes to a close, the world will be watching to see how effective Fifa’s heat safety protocols are. However, the reality is that the risks of heat-related illnesses are not going away anytime soon. Climate change is driving temperatures up, and the consequences of inaction could be devastating.
In the future, it is likely that the World Cup will face even greater challenges related to heat and climate change. Stadiums will need to be designed with heat safety in mind, and workers will need to be equipped with the training and resources to handle the demands of working in extreme heat.
The struggle for worker safety is a long-standing one, and the World Cup is no exception. However, with the spotlight on worker safety, there is a unique opportunity for Fifa, host cities, and local organizers to take concrete steps to protect workers from the dangers of heat. It is time to put worker safety first and ensure that the World Cup is a safe and healthy event for all.
In the end, it will be up to Fifa, host cities, and local organizers to ensure that the World Cup is a safe and healthy event for all. The stakes are high, and the consequences of inaction could be devastating. As Jonathan Alingu, co-executive director of Central Florida Jobs With Justice, noted, “It’s going to be extremely hot, and you just cannot leave people unprotected or you’re going to deal with a lot of injuries.” The future of heat and uncertainty is here, and it is time to take action.