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The Climate Story for:

Cape Verde flagCape Verdevs.Saudi Arabia flagSaudi Arabia

Group Stage · Group H

Fri, June 26, 20267:00 p.m.Houston StadiumClimate-controlled

Explore how heat could slow down performance during this match and how climate change is increasing the odds.

Data

97%Chance of performance-impairing heat+2%From climate change

The June 26 match at Houston Stadium (Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia) has a 97% chance of heat that can impair performance.

Those odds are 2 percentage points higher due to climate change.

The science explained

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World Cup 2026 & Climate Change

Cape Verde flagCape Verde
Saudi Arabia flagSaudi Arabia

June 26, 2026 • Houston Stadium

Group HClimate-controlled
97%Chance of performance-impairing heat
+2%From climate change
  • “Performance-impairing heat” is heat above 28°C (82.4°F) — a threshold associated with elite players running slower, less far, and less often. Source: Climate Shift Index and ERA5 reanalysis.

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Cape Verde flagCape Verde

Group H3 matches, 3 stadiums
Go to team page
Next match:

Spain flagSPA—Cape Verde flagCAP

77%Chance of performance-impairing heat+15%From climate change

Saudi Arabia flagSaudi Arabia

Group H3 matches, 3 stadiums
Go to team page
Next match:

Saudi Arabia flagKSA—Uruguay flagURU

88%Chance of performance-impairing heat+20%From climate change

Houston

United States flagUnited States

Go to stadium page
Next match:

To Be DeterminedWinner Group C—To Be DeterminedRunner-up Group F

97%Chance of performance-impairing heat+2%From climate change