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Jun 19, 2026
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The Heat of the World Cup: Analysis Reveals Severe Conditions

AI Summary
A Guardian analysis reveals that two World Cup matches were played in severe heat exceeding 28°C wet-bulb temperatures, a threshold previously deemed unsafe by players' unions. While air conditioning mitigated conditions in some stadiums, experts warn of significant risks to players, fans, and workers, highlighting the tournament's environmental footprint.

The Guardian Analysis: Heat Levels Exceeding Safety Thresholds

Two of the first round of matches at the World Cup were played at a level of severe heat that a football players’ union has previously said should trigger the delay or postponement of games. A further four games were played in cities with temperatures also beyond that level of heat, though conditions inside the stadiums were mitigated by air conditioning.

The Most Severe Matches: Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay and Beyond

Saudi Arabia’s game against Uruguay in Miami had the most severe heat conditions in the analysis of the first 24 matches of the World Cup. The second most severe heat conditions of the first 24 matches in stadiums without AC were in Sweden v Tunisia in Monterrey.

Despite being evening kick-offs, these games were played amid wet-bulb temperatures of 28C (82F) or above. Wet-bulb temperatures are a measure of heat stress that combines air temperature, humidity, and cloud cover to determine how well a human body can cool itself through sweating.

Beyond the Threshold: Six Matches in Extreme Heat

  • Germany v Curacao in Houston
  • Saudi Arabia v Uruguay in Miami
  • Portugal v DR Congo in Houston
  • The Netherlands v Japan in Dallas
  • England v Croatia in Dallas
  • Germany v Costa Rica in Houston

Current Fifa guidelines state that cooling breaks should take place if games are held in heat of 32C (89F) or above. However, the Guardian analysis found that six of the first 24 matches were played in places where the wet-bulb temperature hit 28C or above.

Risks to Fans, Workers, and the Climate

Record-high temperatures in some places resulted in fans wilting in shadeless heat, with warnings that stadium workers are facing potentially hazardous conditions. Experts argue that temperatures are often taken from shaded areas, meaning direct sun exposure can be double the temperature readings.

The World Cup tournament itself is set to add to the planet-heating pollution causing worsened heatwaves. Estimates suggest the staging of more than 100 matches will result in 7.8m tonnes of greenhouse gases, double the amount of the previous World Cup in Qatar.

Fifa’s Mitigation Strategy and Future Outlook

Faced by the prospect of a roasting North American summer, Fifa has moved some kick-off times to later in the day and introduced mandatory water breaks. A medical set-piece protocol for the treatment of heat exertion has also been introduced, with cooling bags set to be used for the first time.

Fifa has stationed meteorologists at match venues and activated a "tiered mitigation model" for extreme temperatures. For spectators, stadiums will "activate additional cooling capacity, including shaded areas, misting systems, cooling buses and expanded water distribution".