FIFA to Adjust World Cup Match Times to Address Heat Concerns
FIFA is expected to schedule World Cup matches involving major European nations after midnight UK time next year to mitigate heat issues that impacted the recent Club World Cup.
Initially, it was anticipated that World Cup kick-off times would align with those of the Club World Cup, where the earliest matches began at 17:00 BST, followed by 20:00, 23:00, and 02:00.
However, while the 17:00 and 20:00 times would be favorable for European broadcasters, they would correspond to midday kick-offs on the United States east and west coasts, respectively.
Paris St-Germain manager Luis Enrique expressed concerns about his team playing in nearly 40-degree heat during their Club World Cup opener against Atletico Madrid in Los Angeles, which commenced at noon local time.
Many coaches and players reported discomfort due to the heat and humidity, with Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez noting feelings of dizziness during the match.
During a speech at the Leaders Conference in Twickenham, Victor Montagliani, president of the North and Central American Confederation (CONCACAF) and responsible for the event, highlighted that the key takeaway from the Club World Cup was the issue of kick-off times.
With 48 teams participating in the World Cup, there are 11 consecutive days in the group phase featuring four matches each, with 12:00 kick-offs anticipated to be common.
Although five of the 16 stadiums across the United States, Canada, and Mexico have roofs or sliding roofs to provide shade, it is impractical to schedule all early matches in these venues.
When asked to elaborate on his comments, Montagliani, who also serves as a FIFA vice-president, stated, "Kick-off times are always a concern in our region due to the hot summers in Canada and the U.S. We are in daily discussions with European and global media regarding the best times and which stadiums can accommodate 3 PM matches. This is all part of the planning process. Once the actual schedule is released post-draw, we will do our utmost to ensure considerations are made. However, I cannot guarantee that every match will have perfect kick-off times from a broadcasting perspective."
Montagliani refrained from commenting on US President Donald Trump's recent threat to relocate some games from cities he deemed "unsafe." He clarified that such decisions fall solely under FIFA's jurisdiction.
"If I reacted every time a politician made a statement—whether it’s a president, senator, or congressman—then I wouldn’t be fulfilling my responsibilities," he remarked. "The reality is we are focused on the 16 venues. It is FIFA's tournament, and they make the decisions. With all due respect to current world leaders, football transcends politics."
Possibility of More English Teams at Club World Cup?
Montagliani also hinted at the potential for additional English teams to be included in the next Club World Cup in 2029. This summer's event capped participation at two teams per country, with Chelsea and Manchester City representing England after their Champions League victories in the past four seasons.
The absence of Premier League champions Liverpool was particularly notable, as was the lack of Barcelona, who won La Liga last season.
Montagliani suggested that the next tournament could expand beyond 32 teams, raising the possibility for a third English team to qualify. "You can’t simply allow teams to enter based on their history; they must earn their place," he stated. "I support the idea of renewal and possibly expansion, but I am uncertain what the next number would be—perhaps 48. However, we need to consider feasibility and how it would work, including who qualifies. The bigger question remains the format, particularly the cap of two teams from each country."