Forecasts of extreme heat will influence the scheduling of the 2026 World Cup.
Players and fans in nearly all host cities will face worrying heat during the competition, experts warned.
247 - The forecast of extreme heat in North America will have consequences for the scheduling of the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in three countries - Mexico, the United States and Canada. According to researchers at Queen's University Belfast, in Northern Ireland, almost all host cities will face worrying heat during the competition, from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Based in Zurich, Switzerland, FIFA mandates that in matches with a WBGT index above 32º, the referee must interrupt each half of the game to allow players to rehydrate. In Brazil, for example, the technical break is three minutes. However, according to analysts, the stoppages should occur starting at a lower index, 28º. The acronym WBGT refers to an electronic measuring device and stands for wet-bulb globe temperature.
According to the study, 14 of the 16 cities that will host games may have temperatures that are dangerous for athletes. Mexico City (Mexican territory) and Vancouver (Canada) are the only ones not on the list. Miami (USA) and Monterrey (Mexico) are also included. The report was published in... National Journal.
Douglas Casa, a researcher at the University of Connecticut (USA), advocated for more time for players to recover their physical condition. "I would definitely increase the time. Three minutes is a joke."
The 1994 World Cup was considered one of the hottest in history, with average temperatures of 33ºC. The final between Brazil and Italy, in California (USA), started at 12:30 pm local time. The temperature reached 40ºC.
World champion that year, former right-back Jorginho, currently 60 years old, commented on how the players felt on the field in '94, when Brazil, with Romário, Bebeto and company, became four-time world champions.
"The sun is right here. Literally beating down on your house. It's very hot, and I think 1994 was a great example of why it can't be done at this time. It really harms the spectacle," said the former player, who played for clubs such as São Paulo, Vasco, Fluminense, Flamengo, Bayern Munich, and Bayer Leverkusen, the latter two being German teams.
According to data published by the Berkeley Earth climate center study, 2024 saw record heat – 3,3 billion people – 40% of the world's population – experienced an unprecedented annual average. Brazil, according to Berkeley Earth, one of the leading global climate centers, warmed 1,8°C above the average of the Brazilian pre-industrial period (1500-1808).
FIFA will announce the match times for the next World Cup in December, but has indicated that representatives of the institution will consider the well-being of the players when drawing up the schedule.
With 18 points, the Brazilian national team is in 5th place in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Argentina, the 2022 World Cup champion in Qatar, is in 1st place (25 points). Uruguay is in 2nd place (20 points). Ecuador is in 3rd place (19 points and a goal difference of 7). Colombia follows, with the same number of points and a goal difference of 5. Behind Brazil, in 6th place, is Paraguay.
With 13 points, Bolivia is in 1st place. The team that finishes in this position at the end of the championship will play in the so-called play-offs, where a representative from Africa, one from Asia, one from Oceania, and two from North America will also compete for a spot in the World Cup.
CONCACAF gained an extra team because the 2026 World Cup will be held there. The acronym stands for Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football. European countries will have a separate system. There is no European representative in this play-off.
