Scientists warn extreme heat could affect many 2026 World Cup matches in North America

Measures proposed by organizers of the upcoming FIFA World Cup won’t be sufficient to protect players and fans from the significantly higher risk of extreme heat and humidity expected at this year’s tournament, a medical expert warns. In December 2025, FIFA announced there would be three-minute hydration breaks for players in each half of every […]

Just days before the start of the 2026 World Cup finals, international warnings are escalating regarding the climate risks that players and fans may face during the anticipated tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. These concerns are rising amid increasing fears about the impact of high temperatures and high humidity on physical safety […] By Alaa Shamali

In less than a month, the world’s attention will shift to one of the biggest sporting events on the planet: the FIFA World Cup. As fans prepare to travel to stadiums across the United States, Mexico and Canada, scientists are warning that dangerous heat linked to climate change could create unsafe conditions for both athletes […]

Concerns about heat already prompted FIFA to mandate a cooling break during each half of the World Cup matches that will take place in June in the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

PARIS, France (AFP) — Climate experts challenged FIFA on Thursday after a warning that one in four 2026 World Cup games could take place in very hot conditions, as global warming has increased the risk of extreme heat in North America since the United States (US) hosted the 1994 tournament. Concerns about heat already prompted FIFA to mandate a cooling break during each half of the World Cup matches that will take place between June 11 and July 19 in 16 stadiums across the United States, Mexico and Canada. "Players and fans face a much higher risk of gruelling heat and humidity at the 2026 World Cup compared to the 1994 tournament on the same continent," World Weather Attribution (WWA), a network of climate scientists, said in a statement. WWA's scientific analysis estimates that 26 of the 104 matches could occur in conditions reaching at least 26C Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) — an index that measures how effectively the human body can cool itself under heat, humidity, sun exposure and wind. At 26C WBGT, the international footballers' union FIFPRO recommends cooling breaks as heat strain becomes a real risk for players. Of those 26 matches, 17 will be played in stadiums with cooling systems, reducing risks for players and fans. During the 1994 World Cup hosted by the United States, 21 games would have been expected to reach a similar heat threshold, according to WWA. Five games are expected to be played in conditions of 28C WBGT or higher, a level that FIFPRO says should lead to the delay or postponement of matches until conditions are safer for players and fans. That risk has nearly doubled compared to the 1994 World Cup. "It's dangerous for players, but of course there are also the fans who might gather outdoors and they are at even more risk because they will not be taken care of by a lot of medical doctors," said Friederike Otto, WWA co-founder and climate science professor at Imperial College London. Three of the 16 stadiums — in Dallas, Houston and Atlanta — have air conditioning. But more than a third of the games with a one in 10 chance of exceeding 26C will take place in venues without air conditioning. The final, which will be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, has a one in eight chance of seeing 26C WBGT conditions and a 2.7 percent risk of 28C, according to WWA. "That the World Cup Final itself — one of the biggest sporting occasions on the planet — faces a non-insignificant risk of being played in 'cancellation-level' heat should be a wake-up call for FIFA and fans," Otto said. United Nations Climate Change executive secretary Simon Stiell lent his voice to the warning on social media. "The risk of dangerous heat has doubled" since 1994, which will put "players and fans at risk", he said. Stiell added: "We must move faster to protect the game we love and everyone who watches it. That means doubling down on the decisive shift to clean energy." When contacted by AFP, FIFA outlined the preventive measures it has put in place for the World Cup. "FIFA will continue to monitor conditions in real time, integrating Wet Bulb Globe Temperature and Heat Index surveillance, and stands ready to apply established contingency protocols should extreme weather events occur," the body listed, among other safeguards.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup may deliver football on an unprecedented scale, but scientists and players’ representatives are warning that soaring temperatures across North America could turn parts of the tournament into a dangerous test of endurance.An analysis by climate research group World Weather Attribution found that nearly a quarter of the 104 matches scheduled across the United States, Mexico and Canada are likely to be played in heat conditions exceeding safety thresholds recommended by global players’ union FIFPRO.Also Read: Delhi HC seeks Centre's stand on plea for FIFA World Cup broadcastResearchers said around five matches could be played in conditions considered unsafe enough to warrant postponement.The warnings have reignited concerns over player welfare less than a year before football’s biggest tournament expands to 48 teams and stretches deep into the North American summer.Scientists used kickoff schedules and the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index — which measures heat stress by combining temperature, humidity, wind and solar radiation — to estimate the risks players and spectators could face.Their findings suggest the threat has intensified sharply since the 1994 World Cup in the United States, with the probability of dangerous heat now nearly double what it was three decades ago.“The calculations to estimate the likelihood of 2026 FIFA World Cup games being played in high WBGT conditions are in line with FIFPRO's calculations published in 2023,” said FIFPRO medical director Vincent Gouttebarge.Also Read: US relaxes visa bonds for World Cup fans“These estimations justify the need for - and implementation of - a series of mitigation strategies with a view to better protecting players' health and performance when they are exposed to hot conditions.”FIFPRO recommends mandatory cooling interventions when WBGT exceeds 26 degrees Celsius and says matches should be postponed once levels cross 28C — conditions roughly equivalent to 38C in dry heat or 30C in high humidity.FIFA said it has already prepared a range of heat-management measures, including three-minute hydration breaks during each half, cooling infrastructure for players and fans, adjusted work-rest schedules and enhanced medical protocols tied to real-time weather conditions.“FIFA is committed to protecting the health and safety of players, referees, fans, volunteers and staff,” the governing body said in a statement to Reuters.The risk, however, extends beyond players sprinting under stadium lights.Several host cities expected to stage matches with elevated heat exposure — including Miami, Kansas City, New York and Philadelphia — do not have air-conditioned stadiums, according to the analysis.Even the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey faces mounting heat concerns. Researchers estimate the showpiece match now carries a one-in-eight chance of exceeding the 26C WBGT threshold and roughly a 3% probability of reaching more dangerous levels — about double the risk compared with 1994.Scientists say the effects may reshape the football itself.“It will be more of a performance issue than a health issue,” said Chris Mullington, consultant anaesthetist at Imperial College London NHS Trust and clinical senior lecturer at Imperial College London.“These players are elite athletes and acclimatised. You'll see players self-pacing. That behavioural thermoregulation is very difficult to override.“So you may end up with more conservative football.”Climate experts say the findings also raise broader questions about whether summer tournaments in increasingly hot regions remain viable.Friederike Otto, professor of climate science at Imperial College London, said FIFA may eventually need to rethink the calendar itself.“From a health point of view, it would be advisable to have these (World Cups) either earlier or later in the year, so you can have a football party rather than something that is a massive health risk for the whole city,” Otto said.FIFPRO warned that while climate-controlled stadiums in cities such as Dallas and Houston could offer some protection inside venues, supporters travelling between matches, waiting outdoors and gathering in fan zones may still face prolonged exposure to dangerous heat.