Researchers warned on Thursday that one in four matches in the 2026 World Cup could face extreme heat conditions. The tournament, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, will be hosted in 16 stadiums across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Climate change has heightened the risks of extreme heat waves in North America since the United States last hosted the tournament in 1994. This increased risk poses significant challenges for player safety and match scheduling.
Quantifying the Heat Threat
Scientific analyses estimate 26 of the 104 matches in the 2026 World Cup could be played with a global wet-bulb temperature of at least 26 degrees Celsius. Five matches are expected to reach 28 degrees Celsius or higher, posing significant heat challenges. More than one-third of the matches projected to have a 1-in-10 chance of reaching 26 degrees Celsius (wet-bulb) will take place in stadiums that lack cooling systems. The final match, scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, faces a 1-in-8 probability of experiencing conditions at or above 26 degrees Celsius wet-bulb temperature.
Historical Context and Escalating Danger
Players and fans face a significantly elevated risk of extreme heat and humidity during the 2026 World Cup compared to the 1994 tournament, according to the Climate Scientists network (World Weather Attribution). The organization stated, "Players and fans face a much higher risk of extreme heat and exhausting humidity during the 2026 World Cup, compared to the 1994 tournament, which was held on the same continent." The risk of extreme heat has approximately doubled when compared to the 1994 World Cup, which was also hosted in the United States. During the 1994 World Cup, an estimated 21 matches were expected to reach a similar heat threshold, as reported by World Weather Attribution. Concerns over rising temperatures have prompted FIFA to mandate cooling breaks during each half of the 2026 World Cup matches.
Stadium Preparedness and Concerns
Seventeen of the 26 matches predicted to face high heat conditions will occur in stadiums equipped with cooling systems. However, a significant portion of venues lack climate control. Only three of the 16 host stadiums, specifically those located in Dallas, Houston, and Atlanta, are fitted with full air conditioning systems. This disparity raises concerns about player and spectator comfort in the remaining stadiums, particularly given the projected extreme weather. The majority of matches expected to encounter high temperatures will rely on other forms of cooling or natural ventilation, which may prove insufficient under severe heat.
Expert Warnings and Player Safety
The global players' union FIFPro recommends cooling breaks when the wet-bulb temperature reaches 26 degrees Celsius, citing heat stress risks for players. FIFPro considers 28 degrees Celsius a level warranting the postponement or delay of matches until conditions improve to ensure player and fan safety. The final match, scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, faces a 2.7 percent probability of exceeding this 28 degrees Celsius wet-bulb threshold. These warnings show the significant challenges anticipated for the 2026 World Cup.