Over the next month, millions of fans will gather across North America for the FIFA World Cup. Stadiums will fill with cheering crowds. Young athletes will dream of representing their countries one day. Communities will celebrate one of the world's most beloved sporting events.
While we're excited to welcome fans from around the world, we're also concerned about a growing health threat already shaping this tournament: extreme heat.
The 2026 World Cup will be played during the hottest months of the year in an environment that is significantly warmer than it was when the U.S. last hosted the tournament in 1994. The conditions facing players, fans, and workers are not just a challenge for this year's matches -- they are a preview of how climate change is reshaping sports and outdoor activities globally.
A World Cup in a Warming Climate
A recent NPR analysis found that more than one-third of the tournament's 104 matches face a high risk of dangerously hot and humid conditions. Some of the matches at greatest risk include marquee events such as the World Cup final and the third-place match. Climate experts have reached similar conclusions: an analysis by World Weather Attribution found that roughly one-quarter of World Cup matches could be played under conditions that pose elevated health risks to players and spectators. Five matches could face conditions severe enough to warrant postponement under international heat-safety guidelines.
