Scientists warn ‘grueling heat’ could impact quarter of World Cup games

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🗞️ Driving the news: Climate scientists warned FIFA that nearly one quarter of the matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup could be played under dangerously hot conditions, with extreme heat risks significantly higher than during the 1994 tournament hosted in the U.S.

🔭 The context: The analysis by World Weather Attribution found that 26 out of 104 games could reach at least 26°C Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), a heat stress threshold where players face serious strain
• Five matches could exceed 28°C WBGT, a level at which players’ union FIFPRO recommends delaying or postponing games

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The findings highlight how climate change is increasingly disrupting major global sporting events
• Rising temperatures and humidity are turning athlete safety, stadium infrastructure and scheduling into climate adaptation challenges, even in wealthy countries with advanced facilities

⏭️ What’s next: FIFA says it will monitor conditions in real time and apply contingency protocols if extreme weather occurs
• Cooling breaks are already mandatory, but scientists are calling for broader structural changes, including reconsideration of scheduling and stronger climate action

💬 One quote: “That the World Cup Final itself faces a non-insignificant risk of being played in ‘cancellation-level’ heat should be a wake-up call for FIFA and fans.” — Friederike Otto

📈 One stat: Scientists estimate 1 in 4 World Cup matches could be played under very hot conditions, while the risk of extreme “cancellation-level” heat has nearly doubled since 1994

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