The 2026 World Cup, set to unfold across the United States, Canada and Mexico, is already being billed as the hottest edition of the tournament since 1994. Forecasts suggest that a majority of the matches will be played in temperatures that climb past 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius), a level of heat that can tax players and fans alike.
Beyond the scorching air, the greater logistical hurdle may come from thunderstorms. The tournament’s thunderstorm protocol in the United States stipulates that play must be suspended when lightning is detected, and such interruptions can ripple into scheduling complications for broadcasters and sponsors.
The Athletic is teaming up with Aaron Mentkowski, chief meteorologist at WKBW‑TV Buffalo, to deliver daily weather briefings that help teams, officials and viewers anticipate how the elements will shape each fixture.
Day Nine’s Weather Snapshot
Among the four contests on Day Nine, conditions vary markedly. In Seattle, the United States will host a USMNT showdown against Australia under partly‑to‑mostly sunny skies, with temperatures climbing toward 80 °F (27 °C).
Further east in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Scotland will meet Morocco under mostly sunny skies, also flirting with a high near 80 °F (27 °C).
In Philadelphia, the Brazil‑Haiti encounter will enjoy sunny conditions, starting at 83 °F (28 °C) and gradually easing to about 75 °F (24 °C) as the game progresses.
Finally, in Santa Clara, California, Turkey will take on Paraguay under clear skies, with kickoff temperatures around 65 °F (18 °C) slipping to roughly 62 °F (17 °C) by the final whistle.