Climate Central finds climate change has increased the likelihood of heat that could slow players for 97 of the 104 matches, threatening game speed and fan safety.
PRINCETON, N.J., June 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Climate change is increasing the likelihood of performance-impairing heat during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to a new Climate Central analysis. By examining the odds of temperatures exceeding 82.4°F (28°C) — a threshold linked to declines in player performance — researchers found that 97 of the 104 scheduled matches now face a higher probability of encountering these conditions.
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