Scientists have warned of dangers during the 2026 World Cup

Astudy published in the journal Scientific Reports warns that ten of the sixteen cities hosting the tournament in North America could expose players to extreme temperature conditions. The greatest risk is expected in Arlington and Houston, Texas, USA, as well as Monterrey, Mexico.

The 2026 World Cup will take place from 11 June to 19 July in Canada, Mexico and the US - during the period of maximum summer temperatures in North America.

The research team, led by Marek Konefal, used data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service to analyse temperatures near the stadiums. They created a reference model that simulated the temperature, wind and humidity at each of the 16 match venues, based on averages for July.

The readings were adjusted for the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), which reflects the human body's response to external conditions. This allowed the modelling of the pitch conditions that the players would encounter during a game.

The results showed that stadiums in Arlington, Houston and Monterey had hourly average UTCI values above 49.5 °C, indicating a high risk of heat stress. Maximum heat stress is forecast from 14:00 to 17:00 local time, with the exception of Miami, Florida, where peak values are observed from 11:00 to 12:00. In Arlington and Houston, temperatures exceeded 50 °C in the middle and end of the day, which is classified as extreme heat.

The study suggests that stadiums are not air-conditioned, which could reduce heat stress and fluid loss in players. The authors recommend re-scheduling matches in high-risk cities to avoid potentially dangerous conditions for footballers.

Source: Katarzyna Lindner-Cendrowska et al, Prospective heat stress risk assessment for professional soccer players in the context of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Scientific Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-77540-1