No Rules For Extreme Cold: FIFA Make Exception to Allow Players to Wear Balaclavas & As Many Layers As Possible

The USA hosted Honduras at the Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota, yesterday night. With the stadium having no roof, the temperatures dropped from -16c to -19c in the first half. Fortunately for the players, FIFA did not rely on their usual Equipment Rules.

FIFA Have No Rules For Extreme Cold

US keeper Matt Turner played with a balaclava and a neck warmer to protect against the cold. Normally, playing with a balaclava is not allowed. For this meeting, the ban has been lifted, as confirmed by the US Men's National Soccer (USMNT) before kick-off.

If we look at the looks of the outfield players, only a handful have worn balaclavas (Juan Delgado on the Honduras side). Most players wore a neck warmer.

FIFA do not have a specific rule concerning extreme cold conditions. However, the football governing body still recommend a postponement of the match when the air temperature is below -5 degrees and the wind chill is below -16 degrees.

What is also interesting are the baselayers worn by the players. They did not match the colors of the shirt, something that is usually forbidden. This was because players wore baselayers that better protect against the cold, and those were not available in matching colors. FIFA usually also forbid this but they made an exception.

The spectators, meanwhile, were allowed to wear anything that would protect them against the cold, and they did so.

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