The 2022 World Cup was held in Qatar between November and December, with many matches scheduled at night to avoid the extreme heat. The next World Cup, set for 2026, will take place in , between June and July. However, a biometeorological report published in warns that many of the venues in 2026 face a high risk of excessive heat. In three of the venues, extreme heat stress could persist well into the afternoon, potentially reaching temperatures of up to 50ºC (122ºF). In the context of , the report’s authors argue that measures will be needed to protect players from decreased performance or, in the worst case, health issues. Looking ahead to 2030, the World Cup will be held during the summer in countries like Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, which are also known for their high summer temperatures.
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Based on the UTCI, 10 of the 16 plannedcould put players at risk of extreme heat stress, with the most dangerous matches expected to take place in Arlington and Houston (both in Texas) and Monterrey, Mexico. The highest levels of heat stress will occur between 14:00 and 17:00 local time in all venues, except for Miami, which will move its time slot earlier to between 11:00 and 12:00. One of the key factors contributing to heat stress will be dehydration. According to climate data recorded by the European Copernicus system in June and July since 2009, the greatest risk period will again be in the early afternoon. On the fields in Arlington, Houston, and Monterrey, players could lose more than a kilogram of sweat (essentially water) in just one hour. The mildest locations will be Vancouver, Seattle, and Tlalpan. The first two are located far to the north, while the latter is situated more than 2,200 meters above sea level.
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Thermal stress begins at 24º-25ºC (75.2ºF-77ºF), “but playing at the 35ºC [95ºF] that will occur in many of these cities is crazy,” adds Ruiz. While tournament officials are taking precautions, such as extending cooling breaks and scheduling matches with heat risks in mind, Ruiz fears that will remain a challenge even in the later hours, from 20:00 to 22:00.
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