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Off Your Game: How Climate Change Could Slow Down the 2026 World Cup

Climate change is making the 2026 World Cup hotter. Use this information hub from Climate Central to explore how heat could slow down player performance across all of the 2026 World Cup matches — and how climate change is increasing the odds of heat.

SEE THE MATCHES MOST INFLUENCED BY CLIMATE CHANGE THIS WEEK

Climate Matches of the Week

Several World Cup matches this week are forecast to be played in climate-change-driven heat, highlighting how rising global temperatures are increasing heat-related risks at major sporting events.

The Climate Shift Index (CSI) measures how climate change influences temperatures. A CSI of 2 means those conditions were made at least two times as likely by climate change.

  • June 24 | 6 PM ET

    Scotland vs Brazil

    Miami Stadium — Miami Gardens, FL

    • Forecast high for day: 86.9°F (30.5°C); this is above the athlete performance threshold.
    • Daily high wet-bulb temperature: 77.5°F (25.3°C)
    • Climate Shift Index (CSI): 2

  • June 27 | 7:30 PM ET

    DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan

    Atlanta Stadium — Atlanta, GA

    • Forecast high for day: 93.1°F (34°C); this is above the athlete performance threshold.
    • Climate Shift Index (CSI): 2

  • June 29 | 7 PM ET

    Winner Group F vs. Runner-up Group C

    Estadio Monterrey — Guadalupe, MX

    • Forecast high for day: 93.2°F (34°C); this is above the athlete performance threshold.
    • Climate Shift Index (CSI): 2