As summer arrives across Canada, Mexico and the United States, the World Cup will enter its most demanding phase.
The tournament runs for over a month, from 11 June to 19 July, a period when several host cities can experience extreme heat, humidity and storms.
Those issues affected last year’s Club World Cup in the US, causing multiple weather delays, and FIFA knows it cannot ignore the issue.
The concern is not just about players. Fans in open-air stadiums could spend hours in direct sunlight, which is why FIFA’s weather planning now considers spectators as well as teams.
FIFA sets heat and weather measures for World Cup 2026
FIFA has introduced mandatory hydration breaks midway through each half of every World Cup match. These breaks are designed to protect players, even if weather conditions vary between venues.
For fans, according to NPR, FIFA says it will allow water bottles at games where high temperatures are expected. Cooling areas will also be set up at outdoor stadiums to help supporters during the hottest fixtures.
Storms add another layer of complexity. While FIFA does not have a single official lightning-delay rule, standard practice in the US is a 30-minute delay if lightning is detected within eight to ten miles of a stadium. Each additional strike can restart the clock.
The issue became clear during the 2025 Club World Cup when several matches were delayed by severe weather.
FIFA’s latest measures show the risk is being taken seriously. The real test will come when high temperatures, storms and packed stadiums all coincide during the tournament’s biggest games.
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