Researchers warned on Thursday that one in four matches in the 2026 World Cup could be held in extremely hot conditions, noting that climate change has increased the risk of extreme heat waves in North America since the United States hosted the 1994 edition of the tournament. Fears of rising temperatures have already led FIFA to impose a cooling-off period during each half of the World Cup matches, which will be held between June 11 and July 19 in 16 stadiums distributed between the United States, Mexico and Canada. Iran responds to America: Our team carries a political message in the World Cup Sports Iran responds to America: Our team carries a political message in the World Cup "Players and fans face a much higher risk of extreme heat and exhausting humidity during the 2026 World Cup than during the 1994 tournament, which was held on the same continent," the World Weather Tribune network of climate scientists said in a statement. Scientific analyzes issued by the network estimate that 26 matches out of 104 in the tournament may be played in conditions where the “global wet ball” temperature reaches at least 26 degrees Celsius, an indicator that measures the human body’s ability to cool itself in light of heat, humidity, exposure to sunlight and wind speed. When the Global Wetball Index reaches 26°C, FIFPro recommends cooling down periods, as heat stress becomes a real risk for players. Of those 26 matches, 17 will be held in stadiums equipped with cooling systems, which will reduce the risks to players and fans. On the other hand, during the 1994 World Cup hosted by the United States, it was expected that 21 matches, according to World Weather Assessment estimates, would reach a similar temperature threshold. It is also expected that five matches will be held in conditions that reach 28 degrees Celsius or more, a level that FIFPro believes requires postponement or postponement of matches until conditions improve to ensure the safety of players and fans. The report indicates that this risk has almost doubled compared to the 1994 World Cup. “The danger not only threatens the players, but also includes fans who may gather outdoors, and they are more at risk because they will not be adequately cared for by medical teams,” said Friedrich Otto, co-founder of the World Weather Attribution Network and professor of climate science at Imperial College London. Only three of the 16 stadiums, in Dallas, Houston and Atlanta, are equipped with air conditioning systems. But more than a third of the matches in which the probability of reaching 26 degrees Celsius according to this indicator is expected to exceed one in ten, will be held in stadiums that do not have cooling systems. As for the final match, scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, it faces a one in eight chance of reaching 26 degrees, in addition to a 2.7% risk of exceeding 28 degrees, according to network estimates. Otto said: The fact that the World Cup final, one of the biggest sporting events in the world, faces a significant risk of being held in heat that could lead to cancellation, should be a wake-up call for FIFA and the fans.