Scientists have warned soccer’s governing body that global warming has increased the risk of extreme damage since the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
Published May 14, 2026
Climate experts have challenged FIFA’s warning that one in four World Cup matches could be played in extremely hot conditions, as global warming has increased the risk of extreme heat since the tournament was last held in the United States in 1994.
Due to concerns about overheating, FIFA had already decided to require a cooling break between each half of World Cup matches. Games will be played from June 11th to July 19th at 16 stadiums in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
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World Weather Attribution (WWA), a network of climate scientists, said: “Athletes and fans face a much higher risk of extreme heat and humidity at the 2026 World Cup than at the 1994 tournament, which was held on the same continent.”
WWA’s scientific analysis estimates that 26 of the 104 matches could take place in environments with temperatures reaching at least 26 degrees Celsius on the Wet Bulb Global Temperature (WBGT) index. Measures how effectively your body is cooled by heat, humidity, sunlight, and wind.
At the WBGT, where temperatures are 26 degrees Celsius, heat stroke is a real risk for players, so FIFPRO, the international football players’ association, recommends cooling off breaks.
Of these 26 games, 17 will be played in stadiums equipped with cooling systems to reduce risk to players and fans.
According to the WWA, 21 matches at the 1994 World Cup, hosted by the United States, were expected to reach similar heat standards.
The five matches are scheduled to be played in WBGT or above conditions of 28 degrees Celsius or higher, which FIFPRO says should lead to delays or postponements until a safer environment for players and fans can be established.
The risk has almost doubled compared to the 1994 World Cup.
“It’s dangerous for the players, but of course there are also the fans who may gather outside. They don’t have access to many doctors, so they’re even more at risk,” said Friederike Otto, co-founder of the WWA and professor of climate science at Imperial College London.
Three of the 16 stadiums (Dallas, Houston, and Atlanta) have air conditioning.
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.
According to WWA, the final match will be held on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and there is a 1 in 8 chance that the WBGT temperature will be 26 degrees, and a 2.7% risk that it will be 28 degrees.
“It should be a wake-up call for FIFA and its fans that the World Cup final, one of the biggest sporting events on earth, itself faces the considerable risk of being held in ‘cancellation’ levels of heat,” Otto said.
The United Nations Climate Change Secretary-General, Simon Steele, spoke out against the warning.
He said on social media that “the risk of dangerous heat has doubled since 1994” and “put players and fans at risk”.
“To protect the game we love and everyone who watches it, we must act faster, and that means doubling down on our decisive transition to clean energy.”
FIFA has released an outline of the precautionary measures planned for the World Cup.
“FIFA continues to monitor the situation in real time with integrated wet bulb temperature and heat index monitoring and stands ready to apply established emergency protocols in the event of extreme weather events,” FIFA said, among other safety measures.
