Heat risks prompt FIFA to mandate cooling breaks and re-schedule matches for 2026 World Cup.

With less than six months until the 2026 World Cup, extreme heat in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada is prompting major safety measures. FIFA has mandated cooling breaks in the 22nd and 67th minutes, while organizers are scheduling daytime matches in air-conditioned stadiums and reserving high-risk cities like New York, Miami, and Monterrey for evening kickoffs. SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles will deploy misting fans if temperatures exceed 80°F. Cities with frequent wet-bulb globe temperatures above 35°C pose significant risks, and FIFPro warns that the New York final—set for a 3 p.m. start—remains high-risk if WBGT exceeds 28°C. Spectators face added dangers from heat stress, health conditions, and urban heat island effects, though hydration access and refillable water policies remain unclear.