Football is now facing the realities of a warming world.
An examination of this year’s tournament reveals that almost 20% of the more than 100 matches occurred under heat and humidity levels that a global players’ organization has indicated should lead to game delays or postponements. A further 23 matches were played in host cities that reached these concerning heat thresholds, but took place inside air-conditioned venues that eased the harsh conditions.
“The shifting climate is threatening essentials like a stable environment, clean air and affordable food, alongside the passions that bring us together, such as football and other athletic pursuits,” Simon Stiell, executive secretary for the United Nations climate body, stated in an emailed message.
This news outlet’s review assessed the environmental data for the tournament’s 104 matches, either from the time of play for completed games or from forecasts for the two remaining fixtures.
The results highlight a growing issue for the sport as global temperatures rise. More frequent and severe extreme heat is prompting serious concerns about the safety of playing conditions in major competitions for both athletes and fans.
“The 2026 World Cup fixtures have delivered a real-world test of heat readiness and response,” commented Joshua L DeVincenzo, an assistant director at Columbia University’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness. “The governing body, fans, venue operators, and others have experienced firsthand the potential for extreme heat and weather to cause disruption and create complications.”
A young fan cools off in a misting station at the Dallas Fan Festival on 29 June 2026. His family holds tickets for the upcoming World Cup match between Côte d’Ivoire and Norway. Photograph: The Dallas Morning News/Hearst Newspapers/GettyImages
These findings emerge as a widespread and historic heat wave affects much of the US, placing over 125 million people from California to New England under hazardous heat alerts. The championship final on Sunday is forecast to be played with a wet bulb globe temperature estimate just under 26C (79F), where lower humidity lessens the impact of high air temperatures. Yet another weather-driven threat may affect visitors: drifting wildfire smoke is anticipated to continue diminishing regional air quality, with New York City’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, issuing a health advisory.
The analysis determined that around 20 matches were played in circumstances where wet bulb globe temperatures (WBGT) were likely at or exceeded 28C (82F).
Chart showing temperatures with little circles
In such conditions, the players’ union Fifpro has contended that matches should be delayed or postponed to safeguard athlete health. Other people at the stadiums can also be in danger, DeVincenzo noted.
“A key takeaway from this World Cup is that alongside player welfare, crucial safety measures for spectators, volunteers, and venue staff must be planned well before match day,” he said.
Philadelphia stadium during the World Cup 2026 Round Of 16 match between Paraguay and France on the Fourth of July. Photograph: Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images
The world football governing body did not offer a comment in response to inquiries. The organization has previously stated it positions meteorologists at match sites to aid in preparing for severe weather, and that tournament planning involves “close coordination” with host city organizers, stadium authorities, and national bodies. Athletes at this year’s event were provided with mandatory cooling breaks, along with access to water, electrolyte drinks, ice, cold towels, fans, mist, and shade, according to the organization.
Fifpro chose not to comment on the most recent analysis but had earlier stated: “The lesson for everyone in the industry is that with a warming planet, heat conditions will play a bigger part in tournament and league scheduling decisions in the future.”
WBGT readings factor in humidity, direct sun exposure, and wind to offer a more precise gauge of heat stress and the body’s capacity to cool down via perspiration. When heat and humidity reach sufficiently high levels, sweat cannot evaporate properly, hindering the body’s cooling process and leading to rapid overheating that can result in heat-related sickness or fatality.
Official WBGT measurements need specialized on-site tools, but this news organization compiled approximations using air temperature and humidity data for the specific time and location of each match, drawing on information from the open-source weather service Open-Meteo. The estimated figures were calculated using a formula developed by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and employed by organizations such as the Canadian military.
Vozinha #1 of Cabo Verde cools down during a hydration break in the World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Argentina and Cabo Verde at Miami stadium on 3 July 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Photograph: Steph Chambers/FIFA/Getty Images
The hottest game held in a venue without air conditioning took place on the Fourth of July in Philadelphia. During the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay, temperatures at the city’s Lincoln Financial Field reportedly hit 38C (100F), and the WBGT throughout the game may have reached or surpassed 33.9C (93F), according to the news analysis.
The single hottest game overall occurred on 22 June in Dallas, Texas, where Argentina defeated Austria 2-0. Although the match was hosted in one of the tournament’s only three fully air-conditioned venues (the others being in Houston, Texas and Atlanta, Georgia), the Dallas game still subjected those outside the stadium to blistering heat. The asphalt surrounding the venue, for example, was reported to have reached a scorching and hazardous 50C (122F).
Greater protections are needed for people outside the tournament venues, DeVincenzo stressed, including those traveling to and from games or participating in fan festival events.
“The fan experience introduced a secondary danger in the heat; elements like long, exposed walking routes, unshaded areas, seating in direct sunlight within the stadium, and prolonged waiting times in heat-radiating places like parking lots significantly increased people’s risk of heat stress and associated injuries,” he noted. “These issues can be managed before future matches by educating volunteers to recognize heat stress symptoms and know how to respond when fans experience dizziness, fainting, or collapses.”
Fans enjoy cooling mist spray during the World Cup 2026 Group E match between Ecuador and Germany at New York New Jersey Stadium on 25 June 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photograph: China News Service/Getty Images
Each match in three host cities—Dallas, Houston, and Miami—appears to have been played in conditions that exceeded the 33.9C (93F) mark. At Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, which lacks air conditioning, athletes, workers, and fans alike endured WBGT readings of approximately 32.5C (90.5F) during Norway’s match against England last weekend. The air temperature rose to 33C (91.4F) with 65% humidity, and sweat was visible on every individual in the arena.
Record-breaking heat and humidity are forecast to cover the midwestern and eastern US this week, potentially creating even tougher conditions for players and spectators at some matches. In the years ahead, the situation could become even more severe.
The 2030 World Cup, for example, is scheduled to be held across Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, all of which are already facing significantly more extreme heat because of the changing climate. Four years later, Saudi Arabia is planned to host the 2034 tournament during the northern hemisphere’s winter, a scheduling adjustment intended to bypass summer temperatures that routinely soar above 40C (104F).
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