Ten of the 16 stadiums set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico currently exceed safe playing limits due to extreme temperatures, according to a report by Football for Future, Common Goal and Jupiter Intelligence.

The last World Cup of its kind?

The authors warn that with the current summer schedule, infrastructure and lack of proper climate protocols, the 2026 tournament could be the last one of this format held in North America. They argue that climate risk will force a fundamental rethink of when, where and how matches are staged.

The report divides days into playable, playable with adaptation and unplayable. By 2025, Houston’s stadium is projected to have 51 unplayable days. Dallas has 33, Kansas City 17, Atlanta and Monterrey nine each, Miami eight, Philadelphia seven, New Jersey three, Boston two and Los Angeles one — all due to temperatures exceeding 35 °C WBGT (wet-bulb globe temperature, a heat-stress index). Projections to 2050 show extreme heat becoming the norm, with nearly 90% of North American stadiums needing adaptation. Unplayable days could rise to 92 in Houston, 64 in Dallas, 54 in Miami and 29 in Monterrey.

© Grzegorz Kaliciak | Estadio BBVA

Bernabéu and Riyadh under scrutiny

The report also examines stadiums for potential future World Cups in 2030 and 2034 — Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid and King Salman Stadium in Riyadh. Madrid is expected to see two days over 32 °C WBGT in 2030, with a clear trend of longer heat waves. Bernabéu also faces a serious water deficit: demand already exceeds supply threefold and is set to worsen, affecting irrigation, cooling and the region’s water security.

In Riyadh, where the stadium is under construction, conditions above 35 °C WBGT are forecast for two days in 2025, four in 2035 and 14 in 2050. The area suffers from extremely high water stress, with demand far outstripping renewable resources.

© Bernabéu | Estadio Santiago Bernabéu

Football can lead change

The authors stress that, thanks to its global popularity, football can become a leader in tackling the climate crisis, using major tournaments to test new solutions, build public support and model systemic transformation.