Breakdown: Guardian Investigation Uncovers Dangerous Conditions
Two matches during the opening round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup were played in severe heat that a global players' union has previously said should trigger the delay or postponement of games, a Guardian analysis has found. A further four games took place in cities with temperatures exceeding that threshold, although conditions inside the stadiums were mitigated by air conditioning.
The most severe heat conditions of the first 24 matches were recorded during Saudi Arabia's game against Uruguay in Miami, with the second worst in Sweden's clash against Tunisia in Monterrey. Both were evening kick-offs, yet wet-bulb temperatures hit 28°C (82°F) or higher, according to temperature and humidity data for the time and location of the fixtures.
The findings raise fresh concerns about player and fan welfare at a tournament forecast to be the hottest since the World Cup began in 1930. Wet-bulb temperature is a measure of heat stress that combines air temperature, humidity and cloud cover to gauge how efficiently the human body can cool itself through sweating. Above a certain level, sweat cannot evaporate properly, leading to rapid overheating that can result in illness or even death.
FIFA's Mitigation Measures Under Scrutiny
FIFA has attempted to tackle the extreme heat by moving some kick-off times later in the day and introducing mandatory water breaks. A handful of the 16 World Cup venues boast roofs or air conditioning that significantly reduce thermal stress inside the stadium. For example, England's victory over Croatia in Dallas was played amid ferocious wet-bulb temperatures of nearly 35°C (95°F) outside, but the air conditioning system brought conditions down to a more manageable 22°C (71°F).
However, the Guardian analysis shows that such protections are not universally available. The matches in Miami and Monterrey lacked air conditioning, leaving players and fans exposed to the full force of the North American summer. Fifpro, the global players' union, has previously stated that games played at a wet-bulb temperature of 28°C or above should be delayed or postponed. When approached about the analysis, Fifpro declined to comment on the heat situation at this World Cup.
“Temperatures are often taken from shaded areas and if players are in direct sun, it can be double figures more than the temperature readings,” said Robbie Parks, an environmental epidemiologist at Columbia University and a signatory of an open letter to FIFA. “Standing in the sun can be dangerous even at lower temperatures.”
Expert Calls for Stronger Protections Intensify
Current FIFA guidelines state that cooling breaks should be implemented if games are held in heat of 32°C (89°F) or above, with the delay or suspension of matches left to the discretion of competition organizers. However, on the eve of the tournament, a group of heat and public health experts urged FIFA in an open letter to introduce more extensive protections, specifically citing Fifpro's 28°C threshold.
The analysis used weather data from US and UK government agencies and derived wet-bulb temperatures from a formula employed by authorities in several nations, including Australia and Canada. In total, six of the first 24 matches were held in locations where the wet-bulb temperature hit 28°C or higher. Besides the two non-air-conditioned games, the others were Germany vs Curacao in Houston, Portugal vs DR Congo in Houston, Netherlands vs Japan in Dallas and the aforementioned England vs Croatia fixture — all benefiting from stadium air conditioning.
Robbie Parks stressed that while air conditioning, later starts and water breaks help players, further measures are needed to protect fans and stadium workers who often toil for hours before kick-off with heavy equipment. “Shade is super important,” he added, warning that record-high temperatures had left some supporters wilting in shadeless heat.
Key Takeaways
- Two opening-round World Cup matches exceeded the 28°C wet-bulb safety threshold advocated by players’ union Fifpro.
- Air conditioning in some stadiums masked hazardous outside temperatures, but venues in Miami and Monterrey lacked such protection.
- FIFA guidelines only mandate cooling breaks at 32°C, and expert open letter calls for tighter regulations.
- The 2026 World Cup is on track to be the hottest in the tournament’s history, amplifying risks for players, fans and workers.
- Additional measures like more shade and adjusted scheduling are urgently needed, according to public health experts.
Quick Facts
Matches with severe heat and no AC: Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay (Miami), Sweden vs Tunisia (Monterrey)
Wet-bulb temperature threshold for safety: 28°C (82°F) per Fifpro
FIFA cooling break trigger: 32°C (89°F) wet-bulb
World Cup venues with air conditioning or roof: A few of 16
Tournament forecast: Hottest since inaugural 1930 edition
Source: The Guardian
