Football vs. the Forecast: Climate Change Forces Match Delays at World Stage

By: Samuel Asamoah 

As an environmental journalist monitoring climate developments, I never imagined that one day I’d be reporting on how the world’s most cherished sport—football—would be at the mercy of the climate crisis. But here we are. At the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup, climate change has emerged not just as a backdrop, but as an unexpected opponent on the pitch.

From the delayed kick-offs to player safety alerts, my monitoring of the tournament—alongside analysis of current weather data and global climate reports—points to one undeniable reality: extreme and erratic weather is now rewriting the playbook of professional sport.

Unseasonal downpours and sweltering heatwaves have already disrupted several matches. In one case, sudden rainfall flooded parts of a stadium’s drainage system, while a midday heat spike caused officials to delay player warm-ups. These are not isolated anomalies—they are consistent with shifting climate patterns recorded across continents.

“Climate change is already impacting the ability for football to be played due to extreme weather patterns around the world, which are affecting the health and wellbeing of players and participants, and they are becoming an existential threat in the territories of some of our member associations,” said Federico Addiechi, FIFA’s Head of Sustainability, in a presentation to the European Parliament.

As a journalist an environmental journalist, I have watched weather become a disruptive force in sectors from agriculture to aviation. Now sport—specifically football—is facing the full weight of the crisis.

And, what makes this development so troubling is that these weather disruptions are no longer seasonal surprises—they are becoming structural threats. From my research and analysis, global warming is accelerating at a pace that is now directly altering conditions for safe play. Heat indexes, once manageable, are now soaring beyond thresholds recommended for high-performance athletics.

Teams are reportedly adjusting training times to avoid peak heat, while FIFA has reinforced hydration break policies. But these are short-term responses to a long-term emergency.

There is an irony that cannot be ignored. As the Club World Cup brings together global talent in spectacular fashion, it also contributes heavily to greenhouse gas emissions—from international flights to energy-hungry stadiums. The very act of convening this grand event feeds the climate instability that now threatens its future.

My own climate mapping indicates that emissions from global tournaments like this one can exceed 200,000 tonnes of CO₂. It begs the question: how sustainable is the current model of international sport?

FIFA has made climate pledges—carbon neutrality, green infrastructure, and environmental advocacy—but their implementation remains uneven. From my global reporting perspective, it is evident that sport has immense influence. Football, in particular, is uniquely positioned to drive awareness, inspire action, and champion sustainability. But the window to act is rapidly narrowing.

The delays at this tournament are more than inconveniences. They are early warnings of a future where global sport must adapt or be undermined. As someone who has tracked these patterns and spoken to scientists, players, and fans across borders, I believe the message is clear: football’s future depends not only on talent and tactics, but also on bold climate action.

What we are witnessing at the Club World Cup is not a fluke of nature. It is a climate crisis playing out in real time. And if football is to continue thrilling billions, it must confront this reality with urgency and resolve.

In the battle between the game and the forecast, the final whistle has not yet blown. But the weather is already calling the shot