1 in 4 World Cup Matches Could Be Played in Dangerous Temperatures
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. To assess the risk of physiological heat stress at host venues, the scientists used the wet-bulb globe temperature, known as WBGT. This indicator provides a more accurate measure of the thermal sensation experienced by the human body, because it incorporates not only ambient temperature, but variables such as humidity, solar radiation,...
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