2026年FIFA World Cup是一项在16个城市举行、有48支球队参赛且为期39天的赛事，这将使球员面临不同的天气条件。分析指出，大约25%的比赛将在热量可能严重压力人体散热能力的地区进行。尽管有20%的比赛将在空调体育场内进行，其室温维持在22°C（原始数据：72°F），即湿球黑球温度（WBGT）为17.6°C WBGT（原始数据：63.7°F WBGT），但其他比赛仍面临极端条件。Tunisia的赛程最热，而Uzbekistan的最凉爽。此外，Netherlands在比赛之间面临高达12.8°C WBGT（原始数据：23°F WBGT）的温差波动，而Uzbekistan的波动仅为1.1°C WBGT（原始数据：2°F WBGT）。
数据评估突显了热压力的威胁。研究人员确定了五场可能达到FIFPRO建议推迟比赛之27.8°C WBGT（原始数据：82°F WBGT）阈值的比赛。虽然FIFA规定了三分钟的饮水时间，但21位科学家在5月13日的一封信中警告，这些时间太短，应该增加一倍以保护球员健康。从历史上看，当美国于1994年举办该赛事时，决赛是在超过32.2°C（原始数据：90°F）的温度下进行的，这使其成为过去75年来最炎热的决赛。
由像Ollie Jay这样的专家进行的生理学研究表明，高温会通过将血液引向皮肤并引起脱水来限制球员表现。因此，球员跑动变慢，且爆发性动作变少。高温也威胁到观众，特别是患有心脏疾病的年长者。在Kansas City，高温天期间的历史医疗紧急事件促使组织者将所有六场比赛安排在晚上。相反地，Miami必须在日光充足的尖峰时段举办比赛，这引发了人们对目前保护球员和球迷福利的安全措施是否充足的担忧。
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, a 39-day tournament with 48 teams in 16 cities, will expose players to disparate weather. Analysis indicates about 25% of matches will occur where heat could severely stress the body's cooling capacity. While 20% of matches will be in climate-controlled stadiums at 22°C (original: 72°F) or 17.6°C WBGT (original: 63.7°F WBGT), others face extreme conditions. Tunisia has the hottest schedule, while Uzbekistan has the coolest. Additionally, Netherlands face WBGT swings of up to 12.8°C WBGT (original: 23°F WBGT) between matches, while Uzbekistan's varies by only 1.1°C WBGT (original: 2°F WBGT).
Numerical assessments highlight the threat of heat stress. Researchers identified five matches likely to reach the FIFPRO-recommended postponement threshold of 27.8°C WBGT (original: 82°F WBGT). While FIFA mandated three-minute water breaks, 21 scientists warned in a May 13 letter that these are too short and should be doubled to protect player health. Historically, when the US hosted the tournament in 1994, the final was played in temperatures exceeding 32.2°C (original: 90°F), making it the hottest final in the last 75 years.
Physiological studies by experts like Ollie Jay show that heat limits performance by redirecting blood to the skin and causing dehydration. Consequently, players run slower and make fewer explosive movements. Heat also threatens spectators, especially older individuals with heart conditions. In Kansas City, historical medical emergencies during hot days led organizers to schedule all six matches in the evening. Conversely, Miami must host games during peak daylight hours, raising concerns that current safeguards are insufficient for player and fan welfare.