Almost 90 per cent of stadiums hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup could face dangerous heat levels, research warns.
With climate change and extreme heat a growing problem for sport, some governing bodies for football recommend delaying or postponing games if the WGBT (wet bulb globe temperatures) heat stress rating tops 28°C.
Findings show 14 of the 16 host stadiums in Canada, the USA and Mexico could top the critical 28°C threshold. If it’s a hotter than average summer, as many as nine are likely to exceed it for half the tournament, with four hitting 32°C.
Miami, Monterrey, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Boston and New York – stadiums without air-conditioning – are highest risk.
Brunel University of London, Queen’s University Belfast and universities across the UK and Canada analysed 20 years of weather data for the study in The International Journal of Biometeorology. To protect player welfare, the research team is urging FIFA to adjust match timings, especially in the hottest locations.
“Teams at the 2026 men’s FIFA World Cup will face heat stress beyond recognised thresholds, especially during afternoon kick-offs,” said Dr Oliver Gibson. “Organisers need to consider bringing in effective heat management strategies to reduce the negative impact of heat stress on players' health and performance. They should also consider scheduling fixtures outside the times of day where heat stress is greatest and introduce cooling breaks during fixtures played in temperature extremes.”
Dr Gibson specialises in heat stress and performance physiology at Brunel, examining how high temperatures alter players’ movement patterns and performance. “Heat disrupts body temperature regulation, reducing both physical and cognitive function. Teams will need to implement significant heat alleviation strategies to reduce the negative impacts of heat stress on their players” he said.
“As global temperatures and the frequency and intensity of heat waves increase, the climate is going to have an increasing influence on a range of sports, the athletes that are competing, and the spectators.”
Reported by:
Hayley Jarvis,
Media Relations
+44 (0)1895 268176
hayley.jarvis@brunel.ac.uk