New York: The 2026 FIFA World Cup will occur during peak summer heat across North America. Matches are scheduled in more than a dozen cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Venues in the southern United States, including Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and Miami, face the highest risk of extreme temperatures and humidity that raise the heat index and strain the body. A 2024 study cited by ABC News warns of serious health risks to players and spectators during afternoon games. Climate Central data shows that nearly all host cities now record far more extremely hot days in June and July than during the 1970 tournament, with such days roughly tripling in locations that hosted in 1986 or 1994. The highest-risk sites include Monterrey in Mexico, Arlington in Texas and Houston, where projected hourly readings may exceed 49.5°C. Some stadiums have cooling systems: AT&T Stadium and NRG Stadium are fully air-conditioned. Hard Rock Stadium offers partial shade but remains open to the elements. Estadio Monterrey is fully open-air. FIFA reports a record 1,248 players from 48 nations will compete. Argentina won the 2022 title in Qatar.
