Scorching the Beautiful Game: The Unwelcome Heat of the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup is facing an unexpected challenge: extreme heat. A recent warning from FIFA suggests that up to a quarter of the tournament’s matches could be impacted by “gruelling heat.” This isn’t just about players and fans feeling uncomfortable – it’s a serious health risk.

According to climate scientists, global warming has increased the likelihood of extreme heat since the 1994 World Cup in the US. The World Weather Attribution network estimates that 26 out of 104 matches could be played in temperatures reaching at least 26C on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index. This measure takes into account how effectively the body can cool itself in heat, humidity, sun exposure, and wind.

The geography of this risk is striking. The stadiums most affected by extreme heat are those without air conditioning – a situation that will be familiar to many fans in North America. Notably, only 21 games at the 1994 World Cup saw similar heat thresholds, indicating a near-doubling of risk.

FIFA has responded to these warnings by mandating cooling breaks during each half of matches. While this is a step in the right direction, it’s clear that more needs to be done. The fact that only three out of the 16 stadiums – including those in Dallas, Houston, and Atlanta – have air conditioning highlights the inequalities at play.

The risks aren’t confined to players alone; fans who gather outdoors will also be put at risk by extreme heat. Climate scientist Friederike Otto noted that “fans are not taken care of by medical doctors,” making them even more vulnerable.

Even the World Cup Final is not immune to these concerns. MetLife Stadium in New Jersey has a 2.7% chance of seeing 28C WBGT conditions – a level at which FIFPRO recommends delaying or postponing matches until conditions are safer for players and fans. This is no minor risk: it’s “cancellation-level” heat.

The UN’s executive secretary on climate change, Simon Stiell, has joined the warning, calling for decisive action to protect the game we love. That means moving faster towards clean energy – a goal that FIFA has thus far been slow to pursue.

FIFA’s response is reassuring but ultimately inadequate. The preventive measures outlined by the governing body are welcome, but they don’t address the root cause of the problem: global warming itself. It’s time for FIFA to take a more proactive stance on climate change – one that goes beyond just monitoring conditions in real-time.

The 2026 World Cup will be a test of FIFA’s commitment to its players and fans. Will it prioritize their health and well-being over the demands of a grueling schedule? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the beautiful game has never looked less lovely than it does right now.