Football’s world governing body FIFA is considering significant changes to the tournament’s schedule at next year’s World Cup finals, in response to concerns about extreme heat.
World Cup matches will be played in the United States, Mexico, and Canada
A recent study has highlighted the intense conditions expected during the summer months in the host nations, prompting recommendations that are now under consideration by FIFA.
These recommendations would significantly impact the tournament’s format and player welfare.
A study conducted by Queens University Belfast, has analyzed the meteorological conditions expected across the various tournament venues during the summer months.
The study concluded that high temperatures, significant humidity, and intense solar radiation will be prevalent.
Based on this analysis, the researchers have recommended two key changes: adjusting match times to avoid peak heat and extending mandatory hydration breaks to more than three minutes per half, recommendations which directly address player safety and well-being.
The 2026 World Cup isn’t the first to be held in a region known for intense heat. The 1970 and 1986 tournaments in Mexico, and the 1994 tournament in the United States, all faced criticism regarding match scheduling and high temperatures.
Diego Maradona, famously, voiced his concerns about match timings during the Mexico ’86 tournament, although FIFA ignored these concerns. The 1994 World Cup final, played at midday, registered a temperature of 40°C, highlighting the potential risks associated with poorly scheduled matches in hot climates. This history underscores the importance of taking preventative measures in 2026.
Only three of the sixteen 2026 venues—in Dallas, Houston, and Atlanta—currently have cooling systems installed in their stadiums.
This limited availability means that mitigating the effects of extreme heat will rely heavily on scheduling adjustments and appropriate hydration breaks.
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