South Korea footballers urge safety after extreme heat statistics

What the report says

South Korean professional footballers are pressing for stronger heat safeguards after a survey by the Korea Pro-Footballers Association found widespread signs of heat stress among players competing in very high summer temperatures. Al Jazeera, citing Reuters, reported on Aug. 21, 2026, that the survey covered 536 players from the country’s K League and WK League, with pitch temperatures at times exceeding 40C (104F).

The union said 86.2% of respondents reported significant physical strain in hot conditions. Nearly two-thirds said they experienced dizziness, more than half reported severe dehydration, and 13% said they had temporary lapses in consciousness. KPFA President Lee Keun-ho described the results as a warning sign and called for mandatory heat protocols.

The players’ association wants the Korea Football Association, the K League and the WK League to improve match-day protections, including later kickoff times and the option to postpone or cancel games during heat advisories. It also criticized the current cooling-break system, which typically gives players a short pause once temperatures pass a set threshold.

The Korea Football Association said player health and safety are its top priority and said it is already adjusting schedules and using cooling breaks, while acknowledging practical limits such as stadium availability. The KPFA also said women players face added difficulties on artificial turf and at venues without adequate air-conditioned facilities. The issue has broader implications for how South Korea structures its football calendar and whether it should shift away from a summer-heavy schedule.