October 2 – European fans tuning in to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada may need to adjust their sleep schedules with FIFA considering amended kick-off times to battle the searing North American summer heat.
The world governing body faces a balancing exercise between protecting players from the scorching conditions and meeting European broadcasters’ demands for primetime kick-offs – late-night viewing is on the cards, especially for matches in the humidity of the East Coast.
The memory of 100°F (38°C) heat on the afternoon of July 17 for the 1994 World Cup Final between Brazil and Italy still lingers, and more recently, players were suffering at the 2025 Club World Cup.
Global players’ union FIFPRO has been a constant thorn in FIFA’s side, urging the governing body to put player safety before television schedules. FIFA has responded by suggesting only cooler cities such as Seattle and Vancouver, or roofed stadiums, will host afternoon kick-offs. Still, with 104 matches spread across 16 venues, it is virtually impossible to shield every fixture from extreme conditions.
Victor Montagliani, FIFA Vice-President and CONCACAF President, said while speaking at the Leaders sports business conference in London: “We’re in those conversations daily, our media guys with European and other world media in terms of what’s best, and what are the stadiums that you can play at 3pm (Eastern Time), like Atlanta, for instance,” he said.
“So, that’s all in the mix now (and) once the schedule does come out after the draw, we’re going to do our best to ensure that all that’s taken into consideration. Now, will there be every game that will be absolutely perfect from a kick-off time from a TV perspective? I don’t know because there’s a lot of games.”
It is obvious that there will have to be compromises. Europe, the main driver of the global football economy, wants prime-time slots. FIFPRO wants its players’ welfare front and centre. FIFA is stuck in the middle, trying to satisfy both camps while staging a tournament of unprecedented scale.
For fans, that means adjusting expectations. Some matches will be conveniently timed; others will bleed deep into the European night. And for players…will FIFA truly prioritise their health or will television money once again dictate the kick-off timings.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at [email protected]