Heat Risks Cast a Shadow Over the 2026 World Cup
An NPR analysis of two decades of temperature data for each of the 2026 World Cup host cities has identified that more than one‑third of the tournament’s matches are likely to be played under dangerously hot and humid conditions, according to heat‑hazard thresholds.
The study cross‑referenced those temperatures with established safety guidelines and found that the risk is especially pronounced for high‑profile fixtures, including the match that decides the third‑place team and the World Cup final itself.
In response, FIFA has scheduled many games for cooler afternoon and evening slots and has introduced extra water breaks for players and officials, but several fixtures remain slated for the most hazardous time windows and locations.
The threat of extreme heat is not new to global soccer; the 2022 tournament in Qatar was moved to winter for similar reasons, and recent research from Imperial College London and its collaborators indicates that roughly a quarter of World Cup games this summer could exceed 79 °F (26 °C) in wet‑bulb globe temperature.
Spectators, workers and support staff are also vulnerable; large gatherings such as concerts, pilgrimages and sporting events concentrate people in unfamiliar environments, amplifying the health impact of soaring temperatures.
With more than 6 million tickets on sale, the event will draw massive crowds, while the U.S. federal government has earmarked $625 million for local security in host cities and OSHA advises water and shade breaks, though states like Florida have yet to codify those recommendations into law.