How the North American heatwave could impact the FIFA World Cup

Published 2 July 2026 · sports

Which host cities and matches face the biggest risks, what is FIFA doing to protect players, and how can fans stay safe? Concerns about extreme

Which host cities and matches face the biggest risks, what is FIFA doing to protect players, and how can fans stay safe? Concerns about extreme July heat have hovered over the 2026 World Cup for months. Now, they’re becoming reality as the tournament collides with one of the hottest weeks of the year. As a powerful “heat dome” settles over large parts of the United States and Canada, bringing with it furnace-like conditions and temperatures expected to exceed 43 degrees Celsius (110 degrees Fahrenheit) in several host cities, forecasters are warning about potential heat safety issues for some of this week’s knockout matches. Which World Cup matches will be affected? Toronto’s health authorities urged fans heading to Toronto Stadium for Portugal’s Round of 32 match against Croatia on Thursday to stay hydrated and limit their alcohol intake after Environment Canada issued a heat warning. The city’s medical officer of health, Michelle Murti, said temperatures could feel like 40C (104F) because of the humidity. Friday’s match between Colombia and Ghana in Kansas City will be played under an extreme heat warning, with “feels like” temperatures of up to 43C (110F). Miami, where Argentina face Cape Verde on Friday, is also expected to experience moderate to major heat risk this weekend. Saturday’s match between Paraguay and France in Philadelphia could face similar conditions, with temperatures forecast to reach 39C (102F) and a heat index of up to 43C (110F).

FIFA has already shortened the operating hours of its Fan Festival in the city because of the heat. Which stadiums are most exposed to the heat? Not all stadiums are created equal. Stadiums in Atlanta, Dallas and Houston have retractable roofs and air conditioning, shielding players and fans once they’re inside. But in Toronto, where the stadium capacity was expanded for the World Cup with a limited roof cover, around 43,000 fans will be exposed to the sun during Thursday’s match between Portugal and Croatia. The same is true in Philadelphia and Kansas City, with capacities of approximately 68,000 and 69,000, respectively. Spectators will rely almost entirely on whatever shade, misting stations and cooling zones are provided by organisers, rather than any built‑in climate control. Why are fans being warned about the walk to the stadium? Even when the match is indoors, however, the walk to the stadium can pose its own risks. In Dallas, meteorologists warn that while the air temperature may be around 32C (90F), the pavement outside the stadium could reach 50C (122F). That means fans walking from car parks, train stations and fan zones could be much hotter than forecast. “Concrete can actually absorb some of that heat,” Weather Service meteorologist Jennifer Dunn said. “That will absorb and reflect that, and that can raise the temperature even more on those surfaces.” How will the players be affected?