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Published By Michael L. Miranda

June 29, 2026

Held every four years, the FIFA World Cup is widely regarded as the biggest spectacle in sports. Naturally, its scale creates significant safety challenges for the event’s temporary workforce, particularly amid the extreme heat expected in many host cities.

The 2022 World Cup, hosted in Qatar, was widely criticized for unsafe working conditions, wage abuse, and inadequate legal protections for workers. With those concerns in mind, FIFA and local organizers have placed a greater emphasis on worker safety as they prepare for the 2026 tournament.

Employment Structure

Determining who is responsible for employment conditions remains a challenge during every World Cup. While FIFA works with host countries and local organizing committees to establish employment standards, contractors and subcontractors are often responsible for hiring and managing the short-term employees who support the tournament.

With multiple entities involved, responsibility for complying with workplace safety requirements can become unclear. It may also be difficult to determine who is responsible for receiving reports of workplace concerns and ensuring those complaints are addressed during the tournament’s limited timeframe.

The Challenges and the Response

Local organizers and stadium authorities work together to establish employment conditions for event staff, security personnel, concession workers, merchandise vendors, hospitality employees, and other temporary workers. Although FIFA does not directly establish day-to-day working conditions, it can promote worker-safety measures through its agreements with host cities and organizers.

Heat-related illness remains one of the greatest risks for both workers and spectators. To reduce that risk, organizers have increased access to shaded areas, misting stations, and water distribution throughout host cities. FIFA has also adjusted game schedules by moving some matches to the late afternoon or evening when temperatures are expected to be lower.

Organizers have also worked with host cities to implement structured work-rest schedules for temporary employees. In addition, specially trained medical personnel have been deployed at approximately twice the level of the 2022 tournament to improve response times for heat-related medical emergencies.

While agencies continue to implement these protections, only seven states (California, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington) currently have enforceable workplace heat standards. These standards vary in scope and generally require employers to provide protections such as water, rest breaks, shade, training, and heat illness prevention procedures. Although these regulations have strengthened worker protections, implementation continues to present challenges because of training and resource limitations.

Key Takeaways for Employers

  • Recognize heat-related hazards. Many employers underestimate the risks associated with working in hot environments. Studies show the effects of heat stress can begin when temperatures approach 80°F, particularly for employees performing physically demanding outdoor work.
  • Small precautions can make a big difference. Providing shade, cooling areas, drinking water, and encouraging regular hydration and rest breaks can significantly reduce the risk of heat-related illness throughout an employee’s shift.
  • Know your state’s requirements. A growing number of states have adopted workplace heat standards requiring employers to provide specific protections during periods of elevated temperatures. Employers should review applicable state requirements and actively encourage compliance.
  • Effective implementation takes time. Following criticism of the 2022 tournament, FIFA spent four years evaluating its approach and implementing additional worker-safety measures for the 2026 event. Employers should likewise recognize that identifying a workplace issue is only the first step. Planning, training, and consistent implementation are essential to meaningful improvement.
  • Maintain an effective reporting system. One issue that remains challenging for large, multi-employer operations is ensuring workers know where to report safety concerns and who is responsible for responding. An efficient reporting system, supported by dedicated resources and prompt investigation, can help limit liability while fostering a workplace where employees feel safe and valued.

Bottom Line

While the FIFA World Cup is a massive undertaking, the challenges it presents offer valuable lessons for employers of all sizes. As temperatures rise this summer, employers should review their heat-safety practices, understand applicable federal and state requirements, and ensure employees have clear procedures for reporting workplace safety concerns.

About the Author: Michael L. Miranda is an Associate with the Firm. He writes on legal developments affecting businesses, with a focus on practical issues involving risk management, liability, and workplace operations.