Lead
With less than a month until the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, a new scientific analysis is drawing attention to a formidable opponent: extreme heat. Researchers from World Weather Attribution (WWA), a network of climate scientists, estimate that roughly one in four matches could be played in conditions that exceed a critical heat-stress threshold, a risk they say has been amplified by global warming since the US last hosted the tournament in 1994.
The tournament, which will feature 48 national teams playing 104 matches across 16 host cities over 39 days, will be staged in June and July—historically the hottest months for the contiguous US, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). As preparations intensify, FIFA and host cities have outlined measures to protect players and spectators, but experts warn that the weather could still disrupt the world's biggest sporting event.
Coverage Comparison
Reporting on the study has been consistent across major outlets, though each has highlighted different aspects of the risk. Africa News emphasized the broader climate context, noting that July is the hottest month in the US and that scientists view summer football tournaments as increasingly hazardous. Al Jazeera focused on the WWA's specific findings, including the number of matches expected to exceed heat thresholds. The BBC broadened the picture, noting that heat is not the only weather threat—thunderstorms and poor air quality from wildfires could also cause disruption.
While all sources agree on the core message—that extreme heat poses a real danger—their emphases vary. For instance, the BBC reported that six host cities could experience Wet Bulb Globe Temperatures (WBGT) of at least 32°C during afternoon hours, a figure also mentioned by Africa News. Al Jazeera highlighted that five games are expected to be played in conditions reaching 28°C WBGT or higher, a threshold linked to significantly elevated health risks. The sources uniformly described the situation as "dangerous" or "extreme," though the tone remained informative rather than alarmist across all outlets.
Key Claims
Tournament Scale and Timing
The 2026 World Cup will be the largest ever staged, with 48 teams and 104 matches played across 16 host cities in the US, Mexico, and Canada over 39 days. All sources noted that the tournament falls during the hottest months of the year for the region, with July being the hottest month for the contiguous US on average, according to NOAA.Extreme Heat Risk Quantified
The WWA study, cited by multiple outlets, estimates that about 25% of matches—26 out of 104—could be played in conditions where the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) exceeds 26°C. WBGT is a measure of heat stress that combines air temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation. At this threshold, international footballers' union FIFPRO recommends cooling breaks due to real risk of heat strain. Of those 26 matches, 17 will be in stadiums with cooling systems, Al Jazeera reported.The study also found that five games could see WBGT levels of 28°C or higher, a level that FIFPRO advises could warrant delaying or postponing matches. The WWA analysis further indicated that during the 1994 World Cup, also held in the US, 21 matches would have met the 26°C threshold—a comparison that underscores the impact of climate change on the tournament's risk profile.
Host City Hotspots
Several reports highlighted that six host cities could experience WBGT of at least 32°C during afternoon hours. Research led by Donal Mullan, a senior lecturer at Queen's University Belfast, identified Dallas, Houston, and Monterrey, Mexico, as particular hotspots, with afternoon WBGT potentially exceeding 32°C. Mullan told Africa News that "almost all of the host locations, 14 out of 16 of them, experience levels of extreme heat, which could be potentially dangerous to players, match officials and possibly spectators." Some stadiums are fully covered, which could reduce risks.Additional Weather Threats
The BBC's coverage drew attention to other summer weather phenomena that could affect the tournament. Thunderstorms, which disrupted multiple matches during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup—including a two-hour delay in a Chelsea-Benfica game—could again cause visible disruption. Wildfires and associated poor air quality were also cited as potential concerns, though the BBC noted these risks are less predictable than heat.FIFA's Response
All sources acknowledged FIFA's measures to address the heat. The organization has introduced mandatory three-minute cooling breaks in each half of every match, a move described as part of its "commitment to player welfare." FIFA and host cities have also taken other precautions, though details were not universally specified.Perspectives
Climate Scientists (World Weather Attribution)
The WWA researchers frame the heat risk as a direct consequence of global warming. They note that climate change has increased the likelihood of extreme heat since the 1994 US tournament, and warn that players and fans face a much higher risk of "gruelling heat and humidity" than in 1994. Their call for mandatory cooling breaks and increased medical monitoring is backed by sports medicine guidance.Football Authorities (FIFA)
FIFA has acknowledged the heat issue and introduced mandatory cooling breaks, but its public statements emphasize player welfare and proactive measures rather than alarm. The organization appears confident that existing protocols, combined with stadium features like covered roofs and cooling systems, will mitigate the worst impacts.Host Cities and Local Officials
Host cities, particularly in the southern US and Mexico, are accustomed to high summer temperatures. Their perspective, implied in the coverage, is that they have experience managing large events in hot conditions and have invested in infrastructure to protect visitors. However, the record-breaking heat events in March 2025, which hit large swaths of the US, have heightened concerns.Former Critics (e.g., Chelsea Manager Enzo Maresca)
While not a formal perspective in the study, the BBC's mention of Enzo Maresca's comment—"probably not the right place to do the competition"—reflects skepticism about the US as a summer host. This view, while anecdotal, highlights the broader debate about the appropriateness of scheduling major tournaments in high-risk regions without climate adaptation.Reporting contributed by Africa News, Al Jazeera, and the BBC.