This blog post summarizes a new report, Pitches in Peril, by Football for Future and Common Goal. The report warns several venues slated for the 2026 FIFA World Cup face significant climate-related risks.
It explains how extreme-weather-disrupts-festivals-and-sports-events-due-to-climate-change/”>extreme heat, powerful storms, and prolonged drought could affect player performance, fan safety, match scheduling, and the resilience of stadium infrastructure. The report outlines practical steps hosts and FIFA should consider to safeguard the tournament.
Why the Pitches in Peril report matters for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The report highlights mounting climate threats across North America — the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Record-breaking temperatures and severe weather events have already been recorded in recent years.
With hundreds of thousands of players, officials, and fans converging on host cities, these risks elevate not only sporting fairness but public safety and operational continuity.
Major climate risks facing World Cup venues
Extreme heat: Heat waves can degrade player performance and increase heatstroke and dehydration risks. They may also force changes to match timing.
Powerful storms: Severe storms threaten stadium integrity and disrupt travel and local infrastructure. They can lead to last-minute postponements or evacuations.
Prolonged drought: Drought affects pitch quality and water supplies for cooling, pitch maintenance, and spectator facilities. This can impact broadcast quality and turf resilience.
Impacts on players, fans, and match operations
The report draws attention to cascading impacts that can degrade the quality and safety of the tournament. Consequences range from heat-related medical emergencies to logistical bottlenecks that can compromise scheduling and broadcast commitments.
Health, safety, and performance challenges
Player welfare: As Arsenal goalkeeper Alexei Rojas emphasized, rising temperatures increase the likelihood of heat-related illness and performance decline. Teams will need enhanced medical protocols and cooling strategies to protect athletes.
Fan safety and experience: Fans in open-air stands face prolonged exposure to heat or sudden storms. This demands robust contingency plans for shelters, hydration stations, and emergency communication.
Operational resilience: Stadiums and host cities may struggle to maintain services during extreme events — from power outages to transport interruptions. This calls into question whether current infrastructure design is fit for purpose.
Questions of responsibility and governance
The report also raises an important governance question: what is FIFA’s obligation to incorporate climate resilience into tournament planning? With a global spotlight and substantial economic stakes, the governing body has both practical and reputational reasons to lead on this issue.
FIFA’s role and accountability
Risk assessment: FIFA should require standardized climate-risk assessments for shortlisted venues well before final selection.
Standards and enforcement: Clear resilience standards — for cooling, drainage, energy backup, and emergency protocols — must be enforced by host agreements.
Practical recommendations to safeguard the 2026 World Cup
Implementing concrete sustainability and resilience measures now will reduce the likelihood of disruptions.
These steps will protect athletes, fans, and host communities.
Addressing these challenges requires cooperation between FIFA, local organizers, public health authorities, and the sports community.
Here is the source article for this story: Heat, extreme weather threaten 2026 FIFA World Cup venues, study finds