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 previous 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 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, but 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 help understand which games will be most affected, The Athletic is working with Aaron Mentkowski, chief meteorologist at WKBW-TV Buffalo, to provide a daily forecast. Aaron will join live coverage to explain what’s happening during storm delays.
Netherlands vs SwedenNRG Stadium, Houston: Kick-off 12pm local timeAn indoor match so no weather worries for the game. Good thing it’s inside as we have a heat advisory in effect today. This morning in Houston it will be partly sunny, warm and muggy with temperatures at 12 p.m. warming to near 90F (32C). 60% chance for shower and thunderstorms after the game. Winds out of the southeast at 5 to 10 miles per hour.Germany vs Ivory CoastBMO Field, Toronto. Kick-off 4pm local timeA pleasant start to the day in Toronto with partly sunny skies and comfortable temperatures. At 4 p.m. the temperature will be near 68F (20C) with northwesterly winds of 5 to 15 miles per hour, and a shower is possible (40%). Temperatures will stay near 68F (20C) during the match.Ecuador vs CuracaoArrowhead Stadium, Kansas City. Kick-off 7pm local timeThe weather could impact the end of the game. A flood watch is in effect for Kansas City beginning at 7 p.m. Excessive tropical moisture could lead to downpours later this evening. Latest forecast computer models have the bulk of the rain arriving after the game.As the match begins the temperature will be near 80F (27C) with mostly cloudy skies. The sun will set at 8:48 p.m., and by the end of the match the temperature will drop to near 75F (28C) with southeasterly winds at 10 miles per hour, and a 30% chance for rain. The chance for rain will increase after the game. I will be monitoring the weather with live blog updates.Tunisia v JapanEstadio BBVA, Guadalupe. Kick-off: 10pm local timeThe weather is going to be muggy for this tilt. Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon with a high of 86F (30C). At 10 p.m. skies will be mostly cloudy with temperatures near 77 F (25C), there is a 30% rain chance during the game. The temperature holds steady near 77F (25C) during the match. Winds will be easterly at 5-10 miles per hour.Jun 20, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
