Warnings have been issued that extreme heat could make some matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup unsafe. According to researchers from Imperial College London, human-induced climate change has made such conditions more likely in the 16 host cities across the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
The study predicts that five matches could be played in unsafe temperature ranges during the tournament. This exceeds the three matches recorded during the 1994 World Cup held in the USA.
Temperature Threshold and Match Risks
The study used 83 degrees Fahrenheit as the unsafe temperature threshold that might require pauses or postponements for players. This threshold aligns with the criteria recommended by FIFPRO, the international footballers' union.
It was noted that FIFA also uses the wet-bulb temperature measurement but currently links match postponements to levels above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Experts emphasize that this measurement, which considers humidity, sun, and wind together, more accurately reflects the stress on the human body.
Chris Mullington, an anesthetist advisor at Imperial College London, explained that a dry, lightly windy 30-degree day and a day with the same temperature but high humidity, strong sun, and no wind have very different effects on athletes. High humidity hinders sweat evaporation, limiting the body's natural cooling mechanism.
Players Call on FIFA
Sixty current and former professional footballers from around the world published an open letter urging FIFA to update its heat guidelines before the World Cup begins. They highlighted that extreme heat can cause dizziness, fatigue, muscle cramps, and more severe consequences.
The letter also called for scheduling matches to reduce travel burdens and fossil fuel footprints, as well as for the removal of fossil fuel sponsors. The players argued that football is directly affected by the climate crisis.
Heat Risk Present Even in the Final Match
Friederike Otto, a climate scientist involved in the study, stated that holding the World Cup in the northern hemisphere's summer now poses a real and measurable risk. According to the research, the final match planned for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey could exceed certain temperature thresholds.
The probability of temperatures rising above 79 degrees is 12.5%, and reaching 83 degrees is 3%. Otto noted that even one of the tournament's biggest matches carrying this level of heat risk serves as a warning for FIFA and fans.
Revisiting 1994 and Qatar Examples
Former player Sávio Bortolini Pimentel recalled the 1994 World Cup, noting that some matches experienced very high temperatures and that the heat was intensely felt on the final day in Pasadena. He said that while today's athletes are better prepared, extreme heat alone remains a significant challenge.
The 2022 World Cup was moved to winter months in Qatar, but the study shows that summer heat will again be a serious issue in 2026.
Recommendations for Cooling and Water Access
Douglas Casa, director of the Korey Stringer Institute, advocated for FIFA to implement aggressive cooling measures in all stadium locker rooms. Casa suggested extending water breaks from three to six minutes and intensive cooling of players during halftime.
He also pointed out that fans could be affected by extreme heat and dehydration, recommending free water refill stations inside stadiums. It was noted that updated stadium rules no longer allow fans to bring empty bottles for refilling.
Kevin Muneton Ramirez, a dual US-Colombian citizen, said he bought a ticket to a match in Miami to watch Cristiano Ronaldo and that he wanted to experience a World Cup match live at least once. He acknowledged that rising temperatures might slow the game's pace but said fan interest remains very high.
