Where extreme heat could threaten the World Cup, endangering players and fans

The upcoming FIFA World Cup is expected to be the most-watched sporting event in history, with more than 5 million people slated to attend an expanded competition hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. But with 104 matches scheduled for the height of North American summer, scientists warn the tournament could also be one of history’s hottest.

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The analysis found that roughly a quarter of the scheduled matches this year are likely to be played amid heat and humidity levels that make it harder for the body to stay cool. Using state-of-the-art climate models, the researchers evaluated the chance the weather in each host city would exceed temperature thresholds set by the global soccer player’s union, FIFPRO, at the time of a match.

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To determine whether conditions this summer posed a threat to World Cup players, the WWA analysis focused on a metric known as “wet bulb globe temperature” (WBGT), which takes into account the effects of wind, sunlight and humidity as well as air temperature. Since these factors can affect the body’s ability to cool itself, scientists say WBGT is a better measure of when heat becomes dangerous.

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FIFA announced late last year that players during the 2026 World Cup would have three-minute “hydration breaks” during each half of games, regardless of the temperature. Teams will have a minimum of three rest days between matches, and substitutes and support staff will be able to sit at climate-controlled benches, according to a FIFA spokesperson. Match doctors have also been trained to use specialized “cooling bags” to help treat anyone who suffers from heat illness.