The impact of climate change is increasingly evident in the world of football.
During this year’s World Cup, close to one-fifth of the tournament’s matches, which exceeded 100 in total, occurred under heat and humidity conditions that a players’ union previously indicated could warrant delays or cancellations, according to an analysis. Additionally, 23 matches took place in cities experiencing similar heat levels, albeit in air-conditioned stadiums that helped mitigate the conditions.
Simon Stiell, the executive secretary of the United Nations climate body, expressed in an email, “The climate crisis is hitting the things we all need, like a stable climate, clean air and affordable food, as well as the things we love, like football and other sports,”
The analysis reviewed the conditions for the tournament’s 104 matches, focusing on the 102 already played and the forecasts for the remaining two.
This data highlights a significant challenge for football as global temperatures rise. Increasingly severe heat is prompting discussions about the safety of conditions for players and fans during major events.
“The 2026 Fifa World Cup matches have introduced a true stress test of heat mitigation and preparedness,” said Joshua L DeVincenzo, an assistant director at Columbia University’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness. “Fifa, spectators, stadium operators, and others … were tested firsthand on the disruptions and complications that extreme heat and weather can pose.”
These findings emerge against the backdrop of a record-setting heat wave affecting much of the United States, with over 125 million residents, from California to New England, under severe heat warnings. The final match on Sunday is anticipated to occur in conditions with a wet bulb globe temperature estimated just below 26°C (79°F), aided by low humidity. However, another climate-related issue could affect attendees: persistent wildfire smoke is expected to worsen air quality, prompting warnings from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani regarding potential health risks.
Our analysis revealed that approximately 20 matches were conducted in conditions where wet bulb globe temperatures (WBGT) may have reached or exceeded 28°C (82°F).
The players’ union, Fifpro, has asserted that games should be postponed or delayed under such conditions to safeguard the health of footballers. Risks also extend to other attendees, DeVincenzo noted.
“We learned from this World Cup that, in addition to player safety and health, important precautions must be considered for spectators, volunteers, and stadium staff long before the day of the match,” he stated.
Fifa did not reply to a request for comment. However, it previously indicated that meteorologists have been stationed at match venues to prepare for extreme weather conditions, and that tournament planning involves close cooperation with local organizers, stadium officials, and national agencies. This year, players were given mandatory hydration breaks and access to water, electrolyte solutions, ice, cold towels, fans, mist, and shaded areas, according to Fifa.
While Fifpro declined to comment on the recent analysis, it had previously remarked.
“The lesson for everyone in the industry is that with a warming planet, heat conditions will play a bigger part in tournament and league scheduling decisions in the future.”
WBGT measurements incorporate humidity, direct sunlight, and wind to provide a more accurate assessment of heat stress and the body’s ability to cool itself through perspiration. At elevated levels of heat and humidity, the effectiveness of sweat evaporation diminishes, hindering the body’s cooling mechanisms and leading to overheating, which can result in heat-related illnesses or even fatalities.
Official WBGT metrics require specialized equipment on-site; however, approximations were derived from air temperature and humidity data gathered during each match, utilizing information from an open-source weather service called Open-Meteo. These estimates were calculated using a formula developed by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, employed by various institutions, including the Canadian military.
The hottest match in a non-air-conditioned venue took place on July 4 in Philadelphia. During the round of 16 clash between France and Paraguay, temperatures at Lincoln Financial Field reportedly soared to 38°C (100°F), with WBGT readings possibly exceeding 33.9°C (93°F), according to the analysis.
The hottest overall match occurred when Argentina triumphed over Austria 2-0 on June 22 in Dallas, Texas. Although this game was held in one of the three fully air-conditioned stadiums of the World Cup (the others being in Houston, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia), it still exposed those outside the venue to extreme temperatures. For instance, the asphalt surrounding the stadium reportedly reached a perilous 50°C (122°F).
More comprehensive measures are needed to safeguard individuals outside World Cup venues, DeVincenzo emphasized, particularly those entering and exiting matches or attending fan festivals.
“Spectator experiences created a secondary risk in the heat; factors such as long walking distances without cover, unshaded areas, sun-exposed seating in the stadium, and long wait times in heat-emitting spaces like parking lots put people at a much higher risk of heat stress and related injuries,” he noted. “These experiences can be addressed ahead of future games by training volunteers to identify signs of heat stress and to know the appropriate actions to take when fans experience dizziness, fainting, or falls.”
Every match held in Dallas, Houston, and Miami appears to have occurred under conditions that exceeded the 33.9°C (93°F) threshold. At Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, which lacks air conditioning, players, staff, and spectators faced WBGT readings of around 32.5°C (90.5°F) during Norway’s match against England last weekend. Temperatures reached 33°C (91.4°F) with 65% humidity, causing sweat to pour from attendees.
As record-breaking heat and humidity are poised to envelop the Midwest and East Coast of the U.S. this week, conditions may become even more challenging for players and fans alike. Looking ahead, the situation could worsen.
The 2030 World Cup is set to be held in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, all of which are already experiencing significantly more extreme heat due to climate change. Four years later, Saudi Arabia is expected to host the 2034 tournament during the northern hemisphere winter, a scheduling adjustment aimed at avoiding summer temperatures that frequently exceed 40°C (104°F).
