FIFA has warned that ‘extreme heat’ could affect a quarter of the World Cup | World Cup 2026

Scientists have warned football’s governing body that global warming has increased the risk to many people since the 1994 US World Cup.

Climate experts have criticized FIFA after warning that one in four World Cup matches could be played in extremely hot conditions as global temperatures have risen to the highest level since the US hosted the tournament in 1994.

The growing concern has already prompted FIFA to mandate a break between each half of World Cup matches. It will be played in 16 arenas in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

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“Players and fans are facing a greater risk of heat and humidity at the 2026 World Cup compared to the 1994 tournament on the same continent,” said the World Weather Attribution (WWA), a group of climate scientists.

WWA scientific research estimates that 26 out of 104 matches could be played where temperatures reach at least 26C in the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index. It measures the body’s ability to cool itself in heat, humidity, sun and wind.

At 26C WBGT, the international football players’ union FIFPRO recommends taking a break because the heat is a real threat to the players.

Of those 26 matches, 17 will be played in air-conditioned stadiums, reducing the risk to players and fans.

During the 1994 World Cup held in the United States, 21 games were expected to reach a similar risk, according to the WWA.

Five matches are expected to be played in 28C WBGT or higher, a level which FIFPRO says should lead to delays or suspensions of matches until conditions are made safe for players and fans.

This threat has doubled since the 1994 World Cup.

“It’s dangerous for the players, but there are also fans who will gather outside, and they are at greater risk because they will not be treated by many doctors,” said Friederike Otto, co-founder of the WWA and a professor of climate science at Imperial College London.

Three of the 16 stadiums – in Dallas, Houston and Atlanta – have air conditioning.

But more than a third of sports with a one-in-10 chance of over 26C will be in airless conditions.

The final, on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, has a one in eight chance of seeing 26C WBGT conditions, with a 2.7 percent risk of 28C, according to the WWA.

“That the final of the World Cup itself – one of the biggest sports in the world – is facing the slightest risk of being played in “level-level” heat should be a wake-up call for FIFA and the fans,” Otto said.

The UN Climate Change Secretary General, Simon Stiell, gave his voice to the warning.

“The risk of extreme heat has doubled” since 1994, which will put “players and fans at risk”, he said on TV.

“We need to move quickly to protect the sport we love and everyone who watches it.

FIFA has outlined the prevention measures planned for the World Cup.

“FIFA will continue to monitor the situation in real time, including monitoring the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature and Heat Index, and is prepared to use emergency measures in case of severe weather conditions,” FIFA said, among other precautionary measures.