World Cup 2026, scientists worried: heat alert for players

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be played between June 11 and July 19 in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, could expose footballers to serious risks of heat stress and dehydration. A study conducted by the Wrocław University of Health and Sports Sciences, published in the journal Scientific Reports, highlighted that 10 of the 16 sites chosen to host the games could experience extreme temperatures. The cities most at risk are Arlington and Houston, Texas, and Monterrey, Mexico.

The researchers used data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service to simulate the weather conditions expected during the months of June and July, when temperatures in North America reach their summer peaks. The simulations considered temperature, wind and humidity to calculate theUniversal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), an indicator that measures how the human body responds to external climatic conditions.

At the three most critical sites – Arlington, Houston and Monterrey – the UTCI exceeded 49,5°C during the hottest hours, between 14:00 PM and 17:00 PM.

The authors of the study warn that such climatic conditions can cause extreme heat stress, with potentially serious consequences for the health of players, including dehydration, muscle cramps and heat stroke. Similar phenomena had already been observed during World Cup in Brazil in 2014 and in Russia in 2018, where humidity and high temperatures had affected sports performance.

To mitigate the risks, researchers recommend changing the timing of games in hot places, avoiding the hours of greatest heat exposure. This measure could ensure safer playing conditions and preserve the health of athletes, avoiding potentially dangerous situations.