Nearly one-fifth of the matches during the recent World Cup were played under heat and humidity conditions that a prominent players’ union has previously identified as grounds for delaying or postponing games. A comprehensive analysis of the tournament’s conditions has highlighted the growing impact of the climate crisis on major sporting events, raising concerns about player and spectator safety.
Extreme Heat Conditions During World Cup
The analysis, which examined the environmental conditions for the tournament’s 104 matches, found that an estimated 20 games took place with a wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) at or exceeding 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit). The international players’ union, Fifpro, has stated that matches should not proceed under such conditions to safeguard the health of footballers. An additional 23 matches were held in cities experiencing these elevated temperatures, though the stadiums themselves were equipped with air conditioning to mitigate the heat.
The findings underscore a broader challenge facing international football as global temperatures continue to rise. The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme heat events due to climate change are prompting critical questions about the feasibility of hosting major tournaments safely for all involved.
Expert Concerns and FIFA’s Preparedness
Joshua L DeVincenzo, an assistant director at Columbia University’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness, described the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a significant test of heat mitigation strategies. “Fifa, spectators, stadium operators, and others… were tested firsthand on the disruptions and complications that extreme heat and weather can pose,” DeVincenzo noted. He emphasized that lessons learned from this tournament extend beyond player safety to encompass crucial precautions for spectators, volunteers, and stadium staff, which must be considered well in advance of match days.
While FIFA has stated it stations meteorologists at venues and coordinates closely with local authorities and stadium operators for extreme weather preparedness, the organization did not respond to requests for comment regarding the analysis. Previously, FIFA indicated that players were provided with mandatory hydration breaks and access to cooling measures such as water, electrolyte drinks, ice, cold towels, fans, mist, and shade.
Understanding Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)
The WBGT is a critical metric for assessing heat stress, as it accounts for factors beyond just air temperature, including humidity, direct sunlight, and wind speed. This measurement provides a more accurate reflection of how the human body experiences heat and its ability to cool itself through perspiration. When heat and humidity reach high levels, sweat evaporation becomes less efficient, hindering the body’s natural cooling mechanisms and increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses, which can be severe or even fatal.
The analysis utilized approximations of WBGT based on air temperature and humidity data, employing a formula developed by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. This method is recognized and used by various institutions, including the Canadian military, for calculating heat stress.
Specific Matches and Locations Highlighted
One of the most extreme examples cited was a Round of 16 match in Philadelphia on July 4th. Played at Lincoln Financial Field, which is not air-conditioned, temperatures reportedly reached 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit). The analysis estimated that the WBGT during this game may have climbed to or surpassed 33.9 degrees Celsius (93 degrees Fahrenheit).
The hottest match overall, according to the findings, occurred on June 22nd in Dallas, Texas, where Argentina played Austria. Although Dallas is home to one of the few World Cup stadiums with full air conditioning, the external conditions were still challenging. Reports indicated that the asphalt outside the venue reached a scorching 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit), highlighting risks for those entering and exiting the stadium.
Matches played in Dallas, Houston, and Miami were all reportedly contested under conditions exceeding the 33.9 degrees Celsius (93 degrees Fahrenheit) WBGT threshold. In Miami, at the Hard Rock Stadium, which lacks air conditioning, WBGT readings were approximately 32.5 degrees Celsius (90.5 degrees Fahrenheit) during a match between Norway and England, with temperatures at 33 degrees Celsius (91.4 degrees Fahrenheit) and 65% humidity.
Broader Implications for Future Tournaments
The analysis also pointed to potential risks for attendees outside the immediate stadium environment. DeVincenzo noted that factors such as long walks without shade, sun-exposed seating, and waiting in hot parking lots can significantly increase the risk of heat stress for spectators. He recommended training volunteers to recognize and respond to signs of heat stress among fans.
Looking ahead, the challenges posed by extreme heat are expected to persist and potentially intensify. Future tournaments are slated for regions already experiencing more severe heat due to climate change, such as the 2030 World Cup across Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. The 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia is scheduled for the winter months, a deliberate choice to avoid the country’s extreme summer temperatures, which regularly exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
Fifpro has previously stated that the warming planet will necessitate greater consideration of heat conditions in the scheduling of future tournaments and league matches. The findings from this World Cup serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for robust adaptation strategies in professional sports to ensure the safety and well-being of participants and fans in an increasingly warming world.
