World Cup at Risk Due to Climate Concerns, Study Reveals

The upcoming 2026 World Cup may be held in locations that already exceed climate safety limits, as noted in the Pitches in Peril report. Of the 16 stadiums chosen for matches, 14 are at risk from extreme heat, heavy rain, or flooding. Thirteen of these stadiums have registered temperatures over 32°C according to the Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature index, which measures heat stress by considering humidity, wind, and solar radiation.

The report warns that, without significant changes—such as moving events to the winter months or cooler areas—these risks will increase as the decade progresses. Piers Forster, director of the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures, stated that urgent actions are needed to ensure safety for players and spectators.

Concerns grew during the recent Club World Cup, where heat clearly affected the matches. PSG coach Luis Enrique mentioned after a 4-0 victory against Atlético Madrid that maintaining a high performance level for 90 minutes was “impossible.” Atlético’s Javi Galán remarked that the sun felt “almost suffocating,” while Vitinha, who was named man of the match, pointed out how challenging it was to play under such conditions, especially for teams without the ball.

As the countdown to 2026 begins, FIFA is faced with a critical question: can the current schedule adapt to North America’s worsening climate issues?