Dangerous heat threatens a quarter of the matches at the 2026 World Cup

As the start of the "FIFA 2026" World Cup, scheduled for 11 June, approaches, climatologists are issuing a serious warning: dangerous heat and high humidity linked to climate change could put the health of players and spectators at risk during around one quarter of the 104 tournament matches to be played in the "USA", "Mexico" and "Canada".

Scientists sound the alarm about the heat

A study by the "World Weather Attribution" initiative, conducted by researchers from "Imperial College London", shows that for 26 matches conditions are expected in which the so‑called "wet bulb globe temperature" ("WBGT") reaches or exceeds 26°C – the threshold above which the "Global footballers’ union FIFPRO" recommends mandatory cooling breaks.

In addition, five matches may be played at values above 28°C WBGT – a level at which "FIFPRO" recommends postponing or relocating games. The analysis indicates that dangerous levels of heat are now almost twice as likely as during the 1994 World Cup – the last time the tournament was held in the "United States" – and that this trend is driven by anthropogenic climate change.

"Miami" and "Monterrey" are identified as the highest‑risk host cities, and for six open‑air matches in Miami there is talk of an "almost inevitable" exceedance of the 26°C threshold.

A separate analysis by "NPR", published this week, outlines an even broader scale of the threat – according to it, 67 of the 104 matches involve potential heat‑related health risks, and 39 of them fall into the "high‑risk" category.

FIFA’s response and concerns about the future

"FIFA" has already ordered three‑minute water breaks to be held in each half of every match, regardless of the specific weather conditions. FIFA President "Gianni Infantino" announced last year that indoor stadiums in "Atlanta", "Dallas", "Houston" and "Vancouver" would be used more extensively to reduce the impact of daytime heat – after criticism over the extreme conditions during the "2025 Club World Cup".

Infantino went even further, stating in October 2025 that an "open‑minded approach" is needed to the idea that all future World Cups should be moved out of the traditional summer window of the northern hemisphere – and that this should apply not only to the 2034 tournament in "Saudi Arabia". A 2025 study by researchers from "Imperial College London" shows that in 14 of the 16 host cities in June and July, under adverse conditions, the critical 28°C WBGT threshold is likely to be exceeded.

The last tournament of its kind?

The "World Weather Attribution" study warns that if the climate warms by a further 0.7°C compared with current conditions – that is, by a total of 2°C above pre‑industrial levels – the likelihood of dangerous heat will increase in almost all host cities.

Scientists conclude that "without large‑scale adaptation measures, such as the widespread introduction of air conditioning and cooling infrastructure, staging football matches in summer in the northern hemisphere will become increasingly dangerous for both players and spectators as climate warming progresses".

Even with air‑conditioned stadiums, hazardous conditions will persist for fans at public viewings and street events – which calls into question the very possibility of hosting a summer football World Cup in "North America" in the coming decades.