As World Cup 2026 begins, dangerous heat is building across US

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A summer heat surge is expected across much of the U.S. as the 2026 World Cup begins.The Desert Southwest, Southern Plains, and Texas are forecast to experience the most extreme heat.The heat index, which measures how hot it feels with humidity, will make conditions feel even hotter in many areas.FIFA will allow attendees to bring one 20-ounce, factory-sealed plastic water bottle into matches in the U.S. and Canada.A surge of summer heat is building across much of the United States as the 2026 World Cup kicks off, with large portions of the country expected to see temperatures climb well above seasonal averages.The early-week pattern shows a sharp contrast developing across the nation — with severe storms in parts of the Midwest and Ohio Valley and expanding heat across the South and West.By the time the tournament’s opening stretch unfolds, much of the country will be dealing with at least moderate heat stress conditions.Buy US Men's Soccer ticketsWhere the hottest conditions are expected during World CupExtreme heat is expected to grip much of the United States during the World Cup period, according to the Weather Prediction Center. Here's how hot it will get by region:Desert Southwest: Extreme heat, with highs of 103–112 across Arizona, southern Nevada and inland Southern California.Southern California (coast and valleys): Hot inland conditions, with highs of 95–105. Coastal areas will be cooler, in the 70s to 80s.Southern Plains (New Mexico, west Texas, Oklahoma): Very hot conditions, with highs in the upper 80s to upper 90s, with localized 100-degree readings in West Texas.Texas and Gulf Coast: Hot and humid, with highs of 90–100. Heat index values may exceed 100 in many locations.Lower Mississippi Valley and Deep South: Steamy summer heat, with highs in the mid-80s to mid-90s, along with increasing humidity.Midwest (Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio): Warm and building heat, with highs in the mid-70s to upper 80s.Great Lakes: Mild to warm, with highs in the upper 60s to mid-80s, trending warmer into next week.Southeast (Georgia, Alabama, Carolinas): Hot and humid, with highs in the mid-80s to mid-90s, with elevated heat index values.Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon): Mild to warm inland, with highs in the mid-60s to upper 70s. Some inland valleys may approach 80.Northeast and New England: Hot conditions expected during the World Cup period, with highs in the low 90s across parts of the region, marking one of the warmest stretches of early summer.World Cup extreme heat mapThe following maps show the highest-temperature outlook across the country as the World Cup begins, highlighting where the most intense heat is expected.U.S. temperature map on June 11U.S. temperature map on June 12U.S. temperature map on June 13U.S. temperature map on June 14U.S. temperature map on June 15Are water bottles allowed at the World Cup?Attendees will be allowed one soft, plastic, 20-ounce, factory-sealed disposable water bottle into any FIFA World Cup 2026 match in the U.S. and Canada, according to the latest guidance from FIFA.National heat index map: How hot does your city feel?The map below identifies areas where the heat index is forecasted to reach NWS-defined levels from "Caution" (80 degrees Fahrenheit) to "Extreme Danger" (above 125 degrees).The heat index measures how hot it actually feels when factoring for humidity. Prolonged exposure to a heat index above 80 degrees can lead to fatigue, as previously reported by USA TODAY. As it gets hotter, the risk continues to increase − potentially resulting in heat stroke or even death. Older adults, children, and outdoor workers are generally at higher risk of heat-related incidents.Search the heat index forecast in your areaIs your city getting hotter? It's possible! You can check the heat index forecast here to find out!U.S. weather watches and warnings map during World CupBuy World Cup tickets by cityAtlanta | Boston | Dallas | Houston | Kansas City | Miami | Los Angeles | Philadelphia | New York | San Francisco | Seattle | Guadalajara | Mexico City | Monterrey | Toronto | VancouverBuy World Cup tickets by teamUnited States | Algeria | Argentina | Australia | Austria | Belgium | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Brazil | Cape Verde | Canada | Colombia | Congo | Croatia | Curaçao | Czechia | Ecuador | Egypt | England | France | Germany | Ghana | Haiti | Iran | Iraq | Ivory Coast | Japan | Jordan | Mexico | Morocco | Netherlands | New Zealand | Norway | Panama | Paraguay | Portugal | Qatar | Saudi Arabia | Scotland | Senegal | South Africa | South Korea | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland | Tunisia | Turkey | Uruguay | UzbekistanBrandi D. Addison is the Weather Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network.