How climate change is emerging as football’s biggest opponent

Climate change, a global phenomenon that has scientists scratching their head and thinking hard of possible remedies is now spreading its tentacles with the football pitch cited as an opponent.

According to Pitches in Peril report by Football for Future and Common Goal, the study found that rising temperatures, flooding and heavier rainfall are increasingly disrupting the game, affecting everything from community pitches to major international tournaments.

It analyzed climate risks facing football infrastructure and found that 14 of the 16 stadiums selected to host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup exceeded safe-play thresholds for at least one major climate hazard in 2025. Those hazards included extreme heat, flooding and unplayable rainfall.

While the findings raise concerns for elite competitions, the report says the biggest impact could be felt at the grassroots, where communities often lack the resources to repair damaged pitches or adapt to changing weather conditions.

“Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it’s already reshaping football. Hazards are escalating, and not all places face them equally. When young players can’t rely on safe, playable grounds in their communities, the entire future of the game is at risk,” said Jérémy Houssin, Environmental Sustainability Lead at Common Goal.

Across many countries, community football is where young players take their first steps into the sport. But heavy rains, flooding and prolonged heat are making some of those pitches difficult to use, disrupting training sessions and local competitions.

The challenge is not unique to one country. In Kenya, changing weather patterns have already affected grassroots football. Flooding in Nairobi’s Mathare area left the Mathare 4A football ground under water, highlighting how climate change can disrupt not only the game but also opportunities for young players.

Kenyan Premier League footballer Meshack Ochieng said community pitches are more than places where football is played.

“For many of us, pitches like Mathare 4A are where everything begins. It’s where young people find purpose, build friendships and believe in themselves. Communities like Mathare are strong and resilient, but when those spaces are affected by extreme weather, it’s not just football that is lost—it’s opportunity. Protecting these pitches means protecting the next generation of talent.”

Football for Future founder Elliot Arthur-Worsop said protecting grassroots football should become part of the sport’s response to climate change.

“If rising heat and floods make those spaces unsafe, we’re not just losing pitches—we’re undermining the very foundation of football’s future.”

Scientists have warned that climate change is making extreme weather events more frequent and severe. For football, that could mean more postponed matches, rising maintenance costs and greater investment in infrastructure that can withstand changing weather conditions.

Players are also calling for action. Canada captain Jessie Fleming said the report shows how quickly conditions are changing.

“It is scary to think that nearly every World Cup stadium will face unsafe playing conditions by 2050. I have played in many of these cities and this report shows just how fast the game is changing. We need to adapt now if we want to protect the future of football.”

The report also says football has an opportunity to be part of the solution. With billions of supporters around the world, the sport has the influence to encourage climate awareness and support more sustainable practices.

As football continues to grow around the world, adapting to climate change may become just as important as developing talent or building modern stadiums.

From neighbourhood pitches to the world’s biggest arenas, the future of the game could depend on how well football responds to a changing climate.