Sweaty, shirtless soccer players lying on the pitch rarely raised eyebrows, as they did last week when photos of European players struggling to train in the heat raised concerns about the summer heat in the United States during the World Cup.
Scientists have long warned that extreme heat could disrupt sporting events. Climate experts warned last month that one in four World Cup matches could be played in extremely hot conditions, impacting both fans and players.
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Those warnings became reality last week. Social media was abuzz with images of sunburned players – mostly from European teams accustomed to cooler climates – dousing themselves with water to cool off. The Norwegian team even chose to wear ice collars around their necks during a friendly match against Morocco.
However, England captain Harry Kane was quick to rubbish speculation about how much the heat would affect the players due to the team’s World Cup training plans, saying it would “not be a factor”.
So, how much of an impact will rising temperatures actually have on World Cup players? Al Jazeera investigated.
What do experts say about the heat during World Cup matches?
Al Jazeera’s weather presenter Everton Fox has explained that the 2026 World Cup could be the hottest on record since the tournament began in 1930 due to the rapid rise in global temperatures.
“About half a dozen venues are likely to experience extreme heat, including venues in Dallas, Houston, Miami and Mexico, all of which are likely to experience extreme heat,” Fox said.
Stadiums in Dallas, Houston and Atlanta have air conditioning, but daytime temperatures are expected to average 28 degrees.
According to World Weather Attribution (WWA), a network of climate scientists, around 26 of the 104 games could reach at least 26 degrees on the Wet Bulb Temperature (WBGT) index, which measures how effectively the body can cool itself, while five games are expected to be played at WB temperatures of 28 degrees or above.
Of these 26 games, 17 will be played in stadiums equipped with cooling systems to reduce risk to players and fans.
However, there is a one-in-ten chance that the temperature will exceed 26 degrees, and more than one-third of the games will be held in venues without air conditioning.
How does rising temperature affect athlete performance?
Fox said heat stress from increased humidity, exposure to solar radiation and the effects of wind speed affect players running around in direct sunlight.
“These things make it harder for sweat to evaporate as quickly and keep you cold,” said Fox, a senior meteorologist with more than 30 years of experience.
Physical performance coach Raiyan Abbasi explained that the body sweats to achieve thermoregulation (the process of maintaining the body’s deep internal temperature), but excessive sweating due to heat can lead to dehydration, cramps, and increased fatigue.
Are athletes used to such high temperatures?
“Yes, most of the athletes are elite athletes who train and play in different conditions, so they will know how to cope with this kind of heat,” said Abbasi, who has worked as a physical performance coach for English clubs Swansea and West Ham, as well as the Pakistan national team.
Abbasi echoed Kane’s words over the weekend, when the team beat New Zealand 1-0 in Tampa, Florida, in temperatures above 30 degrees, explaining that performance coaches and medical staff will be in place to ensure the players are prepared for the tournament through acclimatization.
Do athletes from hot countries have an advantage?
World Cup countries whose players practice in hotter climates may have a slight advantage when it comes to adapting to the U.S.’s high temperatures.
“But essentially, countries that are well-prepared and perform well will be able to minimize the gap,” Abbasi said, adding that the heat could also be used to advantage.
“Heat is a key factor in creating great athletes, and one way to improve athletic performance is to train in the heat.
“Major adaptations can occur within the body to improve body temperature.”
Could the World Cup have been held before or after the US summer?
Fox pointed out that international competitions traditionally take place during the European off-season, when the 2026 World Cup will be held.
“Ideally, the U.S. climate would be most pleasant in the spring and fall, but in that case, you would be looking at the spring tornado season and the late summer to fall hurricanes before you start thinking about domestic sports that local residents are more interested in,” Fox said.
What measures has FIFA taken for players and fans?
FIFA said it implemented a heat risk plan, with measures including a three-minute hydration break for each half of the match, cooling infrastructure for fans and players, adjustments to work and rest cycles, and enhanced medical preparedness in response to real-time conditions.
“You probably need longer hydration breaks to get the full effect, but then you run the risk of turning it into a four-quarter game,” Fox joked, although he argued that FIFA could have limited the games to the northern United States and parts of Canada.
FIFA has also delayed kick-off times for some matches so they start outside the hottest part of the afternoon.
