WBGT in Play at the 2025 World Cup: Why Real-Time Monitoring Matters

July 3, 2025 Jackie Fitzpatrick Comments

As the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup unfolds across hot U.S. cities like Charlotte, Cincinnati, Miami, and Nashville, extreme heat has emerged as a significant concern for athlete safety. In dynamic, humid conditions, the Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) is proving to be the definitive metric for managing heat stress on-field, and that's where the Kestrel 5400 Heat Stress Tracker stands apart.

Heat Hits Hard: Evidence from the 2025 World Cup

In late June, U.S. venues saw ambient temperatures exceeding the mid-90s Fahrenheit (≈35–37 °C), with WBGT reaching or topping 89.6 °F (≈32 °C) during match times, triggering FIFA-mandated cooling breaks (AP News).
Teams have paused practices, used substitutes in air-conditioned locker rooms, and adapted playing routines to manage the oppressive heat in Philadelphia and other cities (AP News).
FIFPRO, the global players' union, is actively calling for expanded mandatory cooling breaks, especially where WBGT falls between 28–32 °C, instead of just at >32 °C, and advocating for longer halftime durations to better regulate core temperatures (The Guardian).

This tournament has been described as a "wake-up call,” a real-world example of how heat can impact scheduling, athlete performance, and player welfare in elite soccer.

Why WBGT Is the GoldStandard Metric—and How Kestrel 5400 Delivers

Unlike basic “heat index” or “feels like” readings, WBGT incorporates air temperature, humidity, wind, and solar radiation into a single actionable reading. FIFA policy mandates cooling breaks during both halves of a FIFA match when WBGT surpasses 32 °C, but expert consensus highlights the value of intervening sooner, especially under high humidity.

The Kestrel 5400 Heat Stress Tracker empowers match officials, trainers, and medical staff with:

Real-time WBGT measurements, accurate in harsh field conditions
A water-free WBGT sensor—maintenance-free, fast to start
Pre-programmed athletic guidelines, ready to be used for your specific zone
Bluetooth connectivity via the Kestrel LiNK app, enabling sideline or remote monitoring

Our device is already used extensively across Major League Soccer (MLS), supporting teams as they manage extreme heat during summer matches and training sessions.

Why Correct Heat Management Matters Now—and Always

With WBGT levels reaching FIFA thresholds in mid-match, player endurance, reaction time, decision-making, and recovery are all compromised. The risk of exertional heat illness—or worse—is very real unless protocols are backed by accurate on-site measurements.

That's why:

Cooling breaks must be triggered based on data, not guesswork.

Trainers and medical teams need instant alerts when conditions escalate.

Planning for hydration, shade, and extra time-outs must align with live environmental feedback.

To learn more about the Kestrel 5400 Heat Stress Tracker, click here: https://kestrelinstruments.com/kestrel-5400-heat-stress-tracker.