This World Cup is going to be hot and at times stormy, with a sizeable chunk of its 104 games set to be played above 90F (32C).Spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico, it is likely to be the warmest edition since the last time the tournament was held in North America, when the U.S. hosted it solo in 1994.While extreme heat and humidity will affect how matches are played, thunderstorms could provide the greater logistical challenge.Under the thunderstorm protocol in place in the United States, a match must be suspended if lightning or electrical discharge is detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium involved.Once that happens, a 30-minute countdown begins — and resets if another strike is detected before it ends. Last summer, for example, Chelsea’s Club World Cup game against Benfica in Charlotte, North Carolina, took four hours and 38 minutes to complete after repeated lightning delays.To give an understanding of which games will be most affected, The Athletic is working with Aaron Mentkowski, chief meteorologist for WKBW-TV Buffalo, to provide a daily forecast. Aaron will join live coverage to explain what’s happening during storm delays.
Czechia vs South Africa Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia; kick-off at 12pm local time (ET)No worries on the pitch as this game is indoors. Good thing the match will be played indoors as rains, and strong winds will impact Atlanta today. A flood watch is in effect all day. Showers and thundershowers will develop later this morning and increase in coverage this afternoon as the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur approach. It will be warm and humid with a high temperature of 84F (29C). Winds will be out of the southwest at 10 to 15 miles per hour gusting near 25 miles per hour. Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California; kick-off at 12pm local time (PT)Another game that will be played indoors. It will be pleasant in Inglewood today. Clouds this morning will begin to thin out near 12pm. Temperatures will be near 70F (21C) and winds will be westerly 5 to 10 miles per hour.Canada vs Qatar BC Place, Vancouver, Canada; kick-off at 3pm local time (PT)Another indoor match that will not be impacted by the weather. Temperatures this afternoon will be near 70F (21C) under sunny skies. It will be a bit breezy with winds out of the northwest at 20 miles per hour.Mexico vs South Korea Estadio Akron, Zapopan, Mexico; kick-off at 7pm local time (CST)The weather is going to be pleasant today with partly cloudy skies and a high temperature today of 82F (28C). At 7pm partly cloudy skies with temperatures near 77F (25C). The sun will set at 7:36pm. At 9pm skies will be partly cloudy with a temperature near 70F (21C). Winds will be westerly at 5-10 miles per hour. Jun 18, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
