Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup has raised eyebrows, particularly because of the venue’s extreme climatic conditions. The extreme summer heat in Saudi Arabia presents several major challenges that could adversely affect the event. Here’s a better look at why Saudi Arabia’s climate is a poor choice for a World Cup hosting site.
Health Risks for Players
One of the most pressing issues with hosting the World Cup in Saudi Arabia is the intense heat. Summer temperatures in the United States often exceed 40 °C (104 °F), reaching as high as 50 °C (122 °F) in some areas. Such excessive situations pose an extreme fitness hazard to players. High temperatures can cause heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heatstroke, all of which can impair players’ performance and increase the risk of serious fitness problems.
FIFA prioritizes participant safety and extreme heat can jeopardize that. The physical and mental stress of gambling in such temperatures should result in reduced patience, slower response times, and a higher incidence of accidents.
These factors should have a significant impact on the quality and fairness of matches. In 2019, 18.2% of workers in Saudi Arabia experienced heat-related illnesses, with 98 individuals being diagnosed with either heat exhaustion (HE) or heat stroke (HS) during the Hajj pilgrimage.
Health Risks for Fans
In addition, the extreme heat poses a great risk to spectators. Attending suits in scorching temperatures can cause heat exhaustion, dehydration, and even heatstroke. Stadiums filled with crowds of fans can become dangerously hot, especially if there are no adequate cooling measures in the region.
In such conditions, the preservation of healthcare and the safety of fanatics becomes a fundamental problem. Pain and the possibility of heat-related illness should deter spectators from attending games, reduce the overall fan experience, and undoubtedly affect attendance and revenue.
In Saudi Arabia’s extreme temperatures, heat exhaustion and dehydration pose serious risks during outdoor sporting events. Fans are especially susceptible to sunburn and heat stroke if adequate hydration and cooling measures are not implemented.
Impact On the Quality of the Match
First-class football haircuts can be laid unfavourably with acute heat. Players may also struggle to maintain their normal level of overall performance under such harsh conditions. Extreme heat can result in fatigue, reduced pace, and a typically slower sport that may not meet the extreme demands expected of the World Cup. In June 2024, temperatures soared to 47°C during the Hajj pilgrimage, with Mecca and Medina—two central cities of the pilgrimage—experiencing temperatures that were 1.5 to 2°C higher. This heatwave was intensified by human-induced climate change.
In addition, matches played in such situations may experience more stoppages and interruptions due to heat-related issues, which similarly affect the flow and enjoyment of the games. The normal excitement and spectacle of this event can fade if players are unable to play in their first class.
Deterioration of Playing Surfaces
High temperatures can negatively affect the situation on the playing surfaces. Extreme heat can result in the deterioration of the course, making the fields uneven and potentially dangerous for players. This can affect the enjoyment of matches and increase the risk of injury.
Maintaining first-class playing situations in extreme heat requires large and expensive measures, or even with these measures, the threat of pitch problems remains excessive. This should cause similar in-game headaches that impact both players and video game quality.
Saudi Arabia endures extreme temperatures, frequently surpassing 50°C (122°F) during the summer months. These high temperatures can cause synthetic and natural playing surfaces to deteriorate quickly, compromising their usability and safety.
Logistical Challenges
The logistical challenges associated with extreme heat are considerable. Ensuring stadiums and other venues stay cool and comfortable involves full-scale infrastructure and operating fees. The complexity of managing one of these large-scale events in extreme situations can strain resources and logistics, likely leading to operational difficulties.
In addition to the monetary implications, a large enterprise presents a huge scale of managing and maintaining suitable conditions in different places. The risk of logistical problems stemming from the extreme heat is high and will disrupt the smooth running of the tournament.
Fan Experience and Engagement
Extreme heat can seriously affect the overall feel of the fan. Fans who take part in the suits would possibly enjoy considerable pain that can take away from their free time. The need for regular breaks, hydration, and a scientific guide in such conditions may limit enthusiasts’ ability to interact with the tournament.
Reduced fan enjoyment will have a ripple effect on the overall ecosystem and success of the World Cup. Fan enjoyment and engagement are vital parts of an event’s success, and extreme warmth should undermine these aspects.
Historical Context
Historically, FIFA has taken climatic conditions into account when selecting host countries. For example, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar will be held at some point in the cooler months to avoid intense summer temperatures. The precedent underscores FIFA’s attention to the risks posed by intense heat and its impact on an event.
Given that history, Saudi Arabia’s sweltering summer heat offers a clean slate that could make it a fallible World Cup host. The fitness and protection of players and fans should be prioritized in the selection, in addition to the overall high quality of the event.
Conclusion
The intense summer heat in Saudi Arabia presents several significant challenges that affect the suitability to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. The health hazards for players and fans, the deterioration of the playing surfaces, and the impact on the high quality of the match all highlight the challenges of hosting the event online in such weather. These elements need to be carefully considered to ensure that the World Cup remains a safe, fun, and amazing event for all involved.
