Quarter of World Cup matches face dangerous heat, scientists warn

Climate Change Poses Heat Danger at 2026 FIFA World Cup

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup prepares to kick off on June 11, climate scientists are warning that dangerous heat and humidity linked to climate change could threaten player safety and fan health at roughly a quarter of the tournament’s 104 matches across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Scientists Sound the Alarm

A study by the World Weather Attribution initiative, conducted by researchers at Imperial College London, found that 26 matches are expected to take place in conditions where Wet Bulb Globe Temperature reaches or exceeds 26°C — the threshold at which the global players’ union FIFPRO recommends mandatory cooling breaks. Five games could be played under conditions exceeding 28°C WBGT, the level at which FIFPRO advises postponement.scientificamerican

The analysis found that dangerous heat levels are now nearly twice as likely as they were during the 1994 World Cup, the last time the United States hosted the tournament, due to human-driven climate change. Miami and Monterrey were flagged as the highest-risk locations, while six open-air matches in Miami face a “near certain” level of exceeding the 26°C threshold.worldweatherattribution

A separate NPR analysis published this week identified even broader risk, finding that 67 of 104 games face potential heat-related health concerns, with 39 categorized as high-risk.npr

FIFA’s Response and Future Concerns

FIFA has mandated three-minute hydration breaks during both halves of every match regardless of playing conditions. FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced last year that covered stadiums in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and Vancouver will be used more heavily to mitigate daytime heat, following criticism of extreme conditions during the 2025 Club World Cup.bloomberg

Infantino has gone further, stating in October 2025 that “an open mind” is needed about scheduling all future World Cups away from the traditional northern hemisphere summer window — not just the 2034 tournament in Saudi Arabia. A 2025 study led by researchers at Imperial College London found that 14 of 16 host cities are likely to exceed the extreme 28°C WBGT threshold if conditions align during June and July.theconversation

A Last-of-Its-Kind Tournament?

The World Weather Attribution study warns that under a future climate 0.7°C warmer than today — corresponding to 2°C of global warming above pre-industrial levels — the likelihood of hazardous heat would increase further across nearly all host venues. The researchers concluded that “without substantial adaptation measures such as widespread access to air conditioning and cooling infrastructure, staging football matches during the northern hemisphere summer will become increasingly dangerous for both players and spectators in a warming climate”.worldweatherattribution

Even with air-conditioned stadiums, the study noted, dangerous conditions will persist for fans at public viewing events and outdoor gatherings — raising questions about whether a summer World Cup in North America remains viable in the decades ahead.worldweatherattribution