When we lose rainforests, the world heats up and extreme weather gets worse. That leads to hotter days that make daytime football unsafe, and heavy rains that wash out our pitches.

Extreme weather and heat

A recent report shows that 14 out of 16 World Cup stadiums are already beyond safe limits for temperature and rainfall. By 2050 nearly 90% of them will require measures to cope with extreme heat.

The same is true for thousands of amateur and youth pitches.

Tougher playing conditions

Recent Champions League data shows that global warming is causing more games to be played in unsafe temperatures. This might hurt performance and put players’ health on the line

Air pollution and poor air quality have a scientifically backed impact on elite football performance.

Empirical studies confirm that on polluted days, footballers run a bit less, react a bit slower, and tire faster.

We can make a difference

If we want to keep playing, training, and enjoying the sport in a safe climate, we have to protect the nature that protects us. When billions of fans stand together, we can influence what’s at stake: the climate, nature, and the sport we love.