A few days before Morocco’s opening clash against Brazil at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, weather conditions are emerging as a serious factor. The forecasts reflect what scientists see as extreme heat that could affect a significant portion of the tournament. Nearly one match in four could be played under challenging heat conditions, turning the World Cup from a sporting event to a test of how football adapts to a warming climate.
A tournament under climate pressure
According to the World Weather Attribution (WWA), an international network of climate scientists, fourteen of the sixteen World Cup hosting cities might regularly experience a wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) of 28°C at least. Reaching the threshold, match postponements are recommended by the global players’ union FIFPro.
What should be problematic for the smooth running of the tournament is that 25% of the 104 matches could be played under dangerous combinations of heat and humidity.
Cities of Dallas, Houston, and Monterrey are among the most extreme cases. In those areas, the heat index could climb to a suffocating number of 49°C. Beyond those, open-air stadiums in Miami, Kansas City, New York, and Philadelphia also present significant risks according to the study.
The WWA notes that the risks have nearly doubled compared to what they were during the 1994 World Cup, the last one held in North America.
Heat is not the only threat
Beyond the risk of extreme heat, thunderstorms could also become a major disruptive factor. US regulations on the subject are clear: any match must be suspended immediately if lightning is detected within a 13-kilometer radius of the stadium. Play can resume only after thirty consecutive minutes without any new lightning flash.
These specific circumstances have already been experienced during the 2025 FIFA Clubs World Cup in the US. The round-of-16 match between Chelsea and Benfica in Charlotte was interrupted for nearly two hours because of a storm. Following the lengthy delay, Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca said: “That’s not football, but a “joke”.
Such delays could disrupt recovery, preparation routines, and match rhythm during a tournament where every detail matters.
Morocco relatively protected, but not immune
Morocco’s group-stage schedule appears relatively favorable compared to several other nations. The Atlas Lions will play their first match against Brazil at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, at 6 p.m. local time, with temperatures expected to reach 31°C and 39% humidity.
The second match, against Scotland at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, should be played under milder conditions, with temperatures forecast at around 23°C.
The last group-stage fixture against Haïti will take place in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, and might be the most challenging one, as the city is known for its hot and humid summer climate.
According to projections, among all World Cup teams, Morocco is ranked 24th, facing the highest projected temperatures during the group stage. France, Tunisia, and Ghana compose the top 3.
Despite the context, Morocco will not be penalized in comparison with other nations, at least for its group stage fixtures. Potential knockout matches in Houston or Monterrey, two of the cities identified as being most at risk from heat, could present a greater challenge. Later rounds in Miami may also bring difficult levels of heat and humidity.
