Concerns over player and official safety are rising just one week before the opening match of the 2026 World Cup.
The tournament is projected to be one of the hottest in the competition's history, according to The Guardian.
A group of scientists has officially written to FIFA, requesting a review of current heat mitigation strategies designed to protect players and referees on the pitch.
Dr. Oliver Gibson from Brunel University detailed the specific anxieties shared by the scientific community regarding the intense heat.
The tournament faces scrutiny not only for environmental conditions on the field but also for its broader ecological footprint, driven by a massive reliance on fossil fuels.
Beyond environmental factors, analysts are evaluating how the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system alters psychological dynamics and decision-making processes for referees and fans.
