The UN has issued a warning about the extreme heat that could affect the 2026 World Cup final in the United States. A report from the Secretariat for Climate Change highlights how a strong heat wave could increase the risk of heat stress during matches, affecting both players and fans.
Impact of climate change on the 2026 World Cup
Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heat waves, and the UN estimates that at least a quarter of the tournament’s matches will be played under conditions of heat considered extreme. This phenomenon could impact critical matches, including the final scheduled in New York/New Jersey, as well as other decisive matches.
Furthermore, the international body emphasizes that not only temperature is a concerning factor, but also the global wet-bulb temperature index (WBGT), which combines temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and wind to measure the actual heat stress on the human body.
During the initial phase of the tournament, 25 matches have been played with high probabilities of extreme heat, and it is expected that 26 of the 104 scheduled matches could have similar conditions. This scenario poses significant risks to the physical performance of the players.
The effects of climate change have also been evident with extreme weather phenomena, such as storms, which have already altered the scheduling of some matches, like the case of the match between France and Iraq, suspended due to a thunderstorm.
The UN warns that climate change is an emerging challenge for organizing large sporting events. The planning of these tournaments might be forced to reconsider schedules, calendars, and protective measures to mitigate the impact of extreme heat on players and the public.
Fans, who spend long hours in the sun accessing and traveling to the stadiums, face considerable risks. At the tournament’s opening, more than 100 people received medical attention for heat-related issues, and four were hospitalized.
Recommendations include rescheduling matches if temperatures exceed certain thresholds, as suggested by FIFPRO, the international footballers’ union, above 28 degrees Celsius. The evolution of these climatic conditions in the coming days will be crucial to determine whether extraordinary measures should be adopted in the final and other important matches.
Finally, the UN report emphasizes that global warming is increasing the risks of extreme heat in international sporting events, affecting both the matches and the safety of all involved.
