FIFA received countless criticism last January when it awarded the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, whose days can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer.
That decision will be subject to more scrutiny if those temperatures force soccer's governing body to change the games to three 30-minute periods.
According to a report by The Telegraph, FIFA is mulling over a proposal that would require 90-minute games to be broken into three periods if the stadium reaches over 30 degrees Celsius (approximately 86 degrees Fahrenheit), citing health risks as the motive.
"There is a moderate risk of heat injury to the players between 24C-29C but if you go above that you have high and extreme risk of injury," said Arup Associates director Michael Beavon, the company responsible for producing the solar-powered air conditions that will be in each stadium.
"The one thing FIFA do say, although it is for guidance, is if it's 32C they will stop a match and play three 30-minute thirds rather than two 45-minute halves," he added. "The reason would be to rehydrate the players before they could carry on playing."
A spokesperson for FIFA, however, disputed that the body has even considered implementing the three-period rule.
"This possibility has not been discussed," the spokesman said. "In any case, this would require a change in the laws of the game, and therefore would have to be analyzed and approved by the International Football Association Board in the first place."
