1 in 4 World Cup Matches Could Be Played in Dangerous Temperatures

A new report warns that Miami, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Dallas, and Houston could be particularly hot places to play during the 2026 World Cup. Extreme heat will be one of the biggest challenges for players and fans during the 2026 FIFA World Cup . According to an analysis by the World Weather Attribution (WWA), around 25 percent of the 104 matches of the tournament could be played under temperatures that exceed the recommended thermal safety limits. The study points out that the probability of facing these conditions is almost double that recorded in the 1994 tournament held in the United States. The projections were developed using a statistical model designed to calculate the probability of each match being played in extremely hot conditions.