Temperatures soar in the US: Could Copa América games be stopped due to the heat?

The Brazil National Team is working hard to combat the heat of Las Vegas. With peaks of more than 40 degrees at the highest point, the weather is a cause for concern.

The Canarinha have taken various measures to be able carry out their agenda in the most natural way possible, with the safety of both players and staff paramount. Changes in training schedules or the use of new tools to measure the players’ hydration levels have been some of the new rules imposed by the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF).

“We walked to the field from the bus and it was very hot. In training they were with us (journalists), they know what we talked about,” said Marquinhos at a press conference. For the moment, the CBF’s plan is working, and scares - like the one seen in the Canada-Peru game - have been avoided. However, this has not prevented the players from having to train in almost 40 degrees in the shade.

Before the start of the Copa America, it was known that the heat was going to be one of the biggest problems during the competition. As such, every team implemented various measures in order to get used to the conditions, including Brazil.

The Canarinha decided to start their preparation period in Orlando, where the weather situation would be more relaxed for the staff and would also help them acclimatise to the current situation in a less drastic manner. However, any expectations were soon exceeded.

CONMEBOL has run up against a problem that has no immediate solution: the weather has been one of the main headaches in this Copa América. What’s more, in Nevada and Arizona the situation has been more critical.

During the preview of the clash between Ecuador and Jamaica at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, several volunteers located in the vicinity of the venue complained about the working conditions. Forced to wear a reflective bib over their regulation clothing at the most intemperate hour -at 15:00 pm (local time), temperatures of 42 degrees Celsius were recorded.

Aware of the danger such conditions could pose, CONMEBOL created several protocols in case of fainting or critical situations, but they are only applicable on the playing fields. The confederation defined the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) as the official measure to determine the implementation of the technical stoppage.

The South American federation implemented regulatory stoppages when the thermometer shows temperatures above 32 degrees. It also created certain protocols to avoid heat stroke due to exertion, as seen with Chilean referee Humberto Panjoj.