美国东部及中部地区正遭遇严重热浪，预计气温指数将高达 100 至 115 华氏度（37.8°C 至 46.1°C），这对在当地举行的世界杯赛事中的球员和观众构成直接健康威胁 [1]。尽管国际足联（FIFA）已实施强制补水及休息等安全措施，但科学家和部分组织认为现有规定不足以应对极端高温环境，建议推迟比赛或延长休息时间以保障安全 [1]。
随着全球气候变暖导致热浪频发，体育赛事面临的风险日益显著。过去三十年间，全球平均气温上升约 1.26 华氏度（0.7°C），使得此类极端天气事件变得更加常见 [1]。当湿球黑球温度超过 95 华氏度（35°C）时，人体将丧失快速散热的能力，极易引发中暑等严重后果 [1]。劳力型热射病已成为运动员的第三大死因，凸显了高温环境下运动安全的紧迫性 [1]。
针对当前的高温状况，球员工会 FIFPRO 和美国运动医学会提出更严格的安全建议：为确保护安全起见，应在湿球黑球温度达到 82.40 华氏度（28°C）时推迟比赛 [1]。相比之下，FIFA 现行的规定允许在湿球黑球温度达到 89.60 华氏度（32°C）时才考虑推迟比赛 [1]。专家指出，这一阈值在美国军队的训练中已被视为取消训练的标准级别，显然不足以保护运动员免受高温伤害 [1]。
Severe heatwaves are currently affecting the eastern and central United States, posing a significant health threat to World Cup players and fans competing in the region [1]. Forecasters predict that during this period, peak temperature indices will reach between 100°F and 115°F (37.8°C–46.1°C) [1]. While FIFA has implemented mandatory hydration breaks and other safety measures to mitigate these risks, scientists and some organizations argue that current regulations are insufficient for extreme heat conditions [1]. Experts recommend postponing matches or extending rest periods as a safer alternative [1].
The global warming trend over the past thirty years, which has raised average temperatures by approximately 1.26°F (0.7°C), has made such extreme weather events more frequent [1]. Under current FIFA rules, games can be postponed if the wet-bulb globe temperature reaches 89.6°F (32°C) [1]; however, expert Douglas Casa notes that this threshold is already considered a level at which military training must be cancelled in the US armed forces [1]. The FIFPRO players' union and the American College of Sports Medicine advise postponing matches when temperatures reach 82.4°F (28°C) to ensure safety [1]. Physiological limits are further highlighted by the fact that humans lose their ability to cool down rapidly once wet-bulb globe temperatures exceed 95°F (35°C) [1]. Additionally, exertional heat stroke is identified as the third leading cause of death among athletes [1].