Extreme heat and severe weather pose health risks as 2026 World Cup begins across North America stories

2026 World Cup faces unprecedented logistical and environmental challenges across North America

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, expanding to 48 teams and 104 matches across three countries, will present extreme heat risks for over a quarter of games, along with challenges from vast travel distances, multiple time zones, altitude variations, and potential thunderstorms. Analysis shows some teams will face significantly harsher conditions than others.