Grueling heat and humidity are much more likely to affect this years’s tournament compared to the 1994 event on the same continent because of climate change, the analysis concluded.
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Players and fans are likely to face dangerous levels of heat and humidity throughout much of the upcoming World Cup tournament.
A team of 15 researchers with the World Weather Attribution group calculated the likelihood of all FIFA 2026 World Cup matches taking place when heat is in excess of what the global players’ union FIFPRO deems safe. 104 games are scheduled from June 12 across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico and the US.
The analysis, which took account of actual game times, revealed that grueling heat and humidity are much more likely to affect this years’s tournament compared to the 1994 event on the same continent because of climate change. A large number of matches are scheduled at the hottest time of day – mid-day or afternoon – where high WBGT is most likely, contrary to FIFPRO recommendations.
In all, about one in four matches are expected to take place in temperatures exceeding 26C Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) – a measure of heat stress that accounts for temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover. Heat stress occurs when the body cannot effectively cool itself, typically following prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures without sufficient rest or cooling breaks. According to FIFPRO guidelines, a WBGT above 26C should warrant multiple cooling breaks of around 30 minutes during matches.
Meanwhile, around five matches are expected to occur when the WBGT exceeds 28C – equivalent to about 38C in dry heat, or 30C in high humidity. FIFPRO deems this level unsafe and advises match delay or postponement.
Inadequate Venues
Researchers also looked at the adequateness of venues in mitigating heat-related issues during matches. They found that only three of the 16 venues have air conditioning, with over a third of the matches with at least a one in 10 chance of exceeding 26C WBGT – including the final, the third-place playoff, and two quarter-finals – scheduled in open-air stadiums.
World Cup venues are increasingly inadequate in a warming world. A 2025 study ahead of this year’s tournament warned that 14 of the 16 World Cup venues are already exceeding “safe-play thresholds” for extreme heat, unplayable rainfall, and flooding.
The “safe-play” benchmark for extreme heat is 35C (95F), which represents the limit of human adaptability to extreme heat. Once this threshold is reached, the body’s natural cooling system begins to fail, heightening the risk of heatstroke and dehydration, both for players and spectators. According to the report, several of the 2026 World Cup locations are already recording temperatures at or above this threshold.
Topping the list of the most climate-vulnerable stadiums in North America are Miami, Houston, Dallas in the US and Monterrey in Mexico, all of which face 100-160 days of unplayable heat by 2050, as well as flash flooding, extreme winds and water scarcity.
The 2026 World Cup “could be the last World Cup of its kind in [North America],” the study warned as it found that by mid-century, nearly 90% of host stadiums will face unsafe extreme heat conditions and 11 stadiums will experience unplayable heat. “Without significant adaptation, it is unlikely that future tournaments in North America will follow the same model as 2026 — with traditional summer scheduling, current infrastructure standards, and minimal climate protocols.”
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
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💡How to stay safe in extreme heat
- 💧Stay hydrated: Drink around two liters of water per day, or about eight glasses. In heat conditions, experts recommend drinking throughout the day and urinating around six to seven times a day, or every two to three hours.
- 🍉Eat nutritious food: Stick to hydrating, fresh food such as watermelon, peaches, berries, grapes, and oranges, vegetables that can be juiced, as well as liquid meals such as soups. Avoid spicy foods, known to make the body sweat. Avoid cooking at home, and opt for the microwave instead of the oven if you have to.
- 💦Exercise responsibly: If you exercise outdoors, take breaks in the shade or indoors to allow your body to cool down faster. Wear sensible attire, such as lightweight, loose-fitting clothing made of breathable fabrics, such as cotton, linen, bamboo, polyester, nylon and microfiber. Hydrate well before a workout and drinking throughout every 15-20 minutes, especially when the physical activity lasts longer than an hour.
- 🌡️Follow local weather services: Check local meteorological services or news channels regularly, as they provide real-time updates and alerts about heat advisories and warnings. Local governments and emergency management agencies often post timely updates on social media platforms as well so keep them monitored.
- 📱Use weather apps: Download reputable weather apps that provide notifications about extreme heat conditions. Many of these apps allow users to set alerts for specific weather events in their area.
- ❗Sign up for emergency alerts: Many cities have rolled out local emergency notification systems or community alert programs that citizens can easily enroll in. These services often send text or email alerts directly to residents during extreme weather events, including heatwaves.
For more tips, check out our article on this topic. To learn more about the risks of extreme heat and how the world is adapting, you can read our 3-part series on extreme heat.
