The climate crisis is making its presence felt in the world of football.
During this year’s World Cup, nearly 20% of the more than 100 matches were played in heat and humidity levels deemed unsafe by a football players’ union, according to an analysis. Additionally, 23 matches occurred in cities under similar conditions, but in venues where air conditioning helped alleviate the heat.
Simon Stiell, the executive secretary of the United Nations climate body, remarked, “The climate crisis is hitting the things we all need, like a stable climate, clean air and affordable food, as well as the things we love, like football and other sports,”
This assessment considered the conditions of the tournament’s 104 matches, of which 102 were already played, along with forecasts for the two remaining matches.
The findings highlight a growing challenge for football as global temperatures rise. The climate crisis is causing more frequent and severe heat waves, raising concerns about the safety of both players and spectators during major tournaments.
“The 2026 Fifa World Cup matches have introduced a true stress test of heat mitigation and preparedness,” said Joshua L DeVincenzo, an assistant director at Columbia University’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness. “Fifa, spectators, stadium operators, and others … were tested firsthand on the disruptions and complications that extreme heat and weather can pose.”
The findings arrive amid an unprecedented heatwave affecting much of the United States, where over 125 million people from California to New England are under severe heat alerts. The final match on Sunday is expected to occur in conditions with a wet bulb globe temperature forecast of just below 26C (79F), aided by low humidity that mitigates the impact of high air temperatures. Yet, attendees face another climate-related issue: wildfire smoke is anticipated to worsen air quality, prompting New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to issue health warnings.
Our analysis identified that around 20 matches were played in conditions where wet bulb globe temperatures (WBGT) potentially reached or exceeded 28C (82F).
The players’ union, Fifpro, has argued that matches under such conditions should be delayed or postponed to safeguard the health of footballers. Spectators also face risks, according to DeVincenzo.
“We learned from this World Cup that, in addition to player safety and health, important precautions must be considered for spectators, volunteers and stadium staff long before the day of the match,” he said.
Fifa did not respond to inquiries for comment. However, the organization previously stated that it had deployed meteorologists to match venues to prepare for extreme weather and that planning for the tournament involved “The lesson for everyone in the industry is that with a warming planet, heat conditions will play a bigger part in tournament and league scheduling decisions in the future.” with local organizers, stadium authorities, and national agencies. This year, players received mandatory hydration breaks and access to water, electrolyte drinks, ice, cold towels, fans, mist, and shade, according to Fifa.
Fifpro opted not to comment on the new analysis but previously indicated, “Spectator experiences created a secondary risk in the heat; factors such as long walking distances without cover, unshaded areas, sun-exposed seating in the stadium, and long wait times in heat-emitting spaces like parking lots put people at a much higher risk of heat stress and related injuries,”
WBGT readings consider humidity, direct sunlight, and wind to provide a more accurate assessment of heat stress and the body’s ability to cool itself. When humidity and heat levels are excessively high, sweat fails to evaporate effectively, hindering the body’s cooling process and leading to overheating, which can result in heat-related illnesses or fatalities.
Although official WBGT measurements require specialized equipment on-site, approximations were compiled using temperature and humidity data from each match’s location and time, sourced from the open-weather service Open-Meteo. Estimates were derived using a formula developed by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, utilized by various institutions including the Canadian military.
The hottest match played in a non-air-conditioned venue occurred on July 4 in Philadelphia. During the round of 16 encounter between France and Paraguay, temperatures at the stadium reportedly soared to 38C (100F), with WBGT readings possibly reaching or exceeding 33.9C (93F), according to the analysis.
The hottest match overall took place when Argentina triumphed over Austria 2-0 on June 22 in Dallas, Texas. While the game was hosted in one of the few fully air-conditioned World Cup 2026 stadiums (the others located in Houston, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia), conditions outside the venue were sweltering. The asphalt surrounding the stadium was reported to have reached a staggering 50C (122F).
Increased measures are necessary to protect those outside World Cup venues, emphasized DeVincenzo, particularly individuals entering and exiting matches or attending fan festivals.
“These experiences can be addressed ahead of future games by training volunteers to identify signs of heat stress and to know the appropriate actions to take when fans experience dizziness, fainting, or falls.” he said. “These experiences can be addressed ahead of future games by training volunteers to identify signs of heat stress and to know the appropriate actions to take when fans experience dizziness, fainting, or falls.”
Every match held in Dallas, Houston, and Miami appears to have been played in conditions exceeding the 33.9C threshold. In Miami, which lacks air conditioning, players, staff, and fans suffered under WBGT readings of approximately 32.5C (90.5F) during Norway’s match against England last weekend. Temperatures peaked at 33C (91.4F) combined with 65% humidity, causing sweat to cascade down the faces of everyone present.
Record-breaking heat and humidity are set to envelop the midwestern and eastern United States this week, potentially exacerbating conditions for players and fans at upcoming games. The situation is likely to worsen in the future.
The 2030 World Cup is scheduled to take place across Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, all of which are already experiencing significant increases in extreme heat due to climate change. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia is anticipated to host the 2034 tournament during the northern hemisphere winter, a scheduling adjustment intended to avoid the summer temperatures that frequently exceed 40C (104F).
