00:00The biggest threat to the World Cup isn't the astronomical ticket prices, the $100 train rides, or even some bad
00:06refereeing.
00:06It's the heat. A quarter of the matches across Canada, Mexico and the US will likely be played in dangerously
00:13high wet bulb temperatures.
00:14That measures how hard it is for your body to cool itself down through sweating.
00:18Five matches are expected to hit wet bulb levels where sports medicine experts literally recommend cancelling the game.
00:24As climate columnist Lara Williams points out, conversations around high temperatures usually focus on the players.
00:30Will Mbappe slow down? Will Messi struggle?
00:32They're elite high acclimatised athletes surrounded by doctors, ice baths, strict cooling protocols and even they're still at risk.
00:39But the people more in danger? The fans.
00:41Between 5 and 7 million people are expected to watch the matches in person.
00:45Unlike the players, the crowds may not be in peak physical condition.
00:48They'll be navigating sweltering commutes, baking in long lines and crowding into outdoor fan zones.
00:53FIFA's heat policy still isn't clear, although they've announced a hydration break for three minutes per half every match no
01:00matter what.
01:01Free water, massive cooling stations and shade shouldn't be optional extras for fans either.
01:06If an entire World Cup can be moved to winter to protect players in Qatar, FIFA needs to show the
01:11same concern to people in the stands.
01:13Lara argues that heat isn't just threatening the tournament, it's threatening the future of the sport.
01:17Research shows that by 2050, hometowns of styles like Mbappe, Salah and Messi could see 150% more days exceeding
01:25the wet bulb temperature threshold for human survivability.
01:28If it's too hot for athletes to play without special accommodations, then it's too hot for fans to watch.
01:33That means the beautiful game has a serious problem.
01:35That means the smallest thing in other states that are interested in deprivation here is going in five minutes.
01:35That means the absolute use of what I need is to play without having a mechanism.
01:35And that means the hell into that level...
01:35That means we are Peachting out there.
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