Soccer fans attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup should prepare for potential heat risks, as a quarter of the games may occur under dangerous heat conditions, according to World Weather Attribution (WWA). Scientists urge host cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to invest in cooling measures to prevent heat-related injuries. The analysis used a model considering historical weather data and match timings to predict heat risks, focusing on the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) system, which accounts for air temperature, humidity, and wind. FIFPRO recommends safety measures at a WBGT of 26 degrees Celsius, with one in four matches likely to exceed this threshold. Miami, Kansas City, and East Rutherford, N.J., are high-risk venues, with Miami having a high certainty of exceeding safe WBGT levels. The final in East Rutherford on July 19 has a significant chance of dangerous heat conditions.
QUESTION: How might the potential for extreme heat at the 2026 World Cup influence the way future international sporting events are planned and hosted?
2026 FIFA World Cup players and fans at risk of extreme heat, climate scientists warn
