Climate Change Is Making the World Cup Dangerously Hot, Scientists Say

Scientists say that climate change — driven by burning fossil fuels — is responsible for a dangerous wave of heat and humidity hitting World Cup games in the United States. A group called World Weather Attribution warned that the extreme conditions could put players and fans at risk. The heat is arriving during a holiday weekend, making things even harder for millions of people across the country.

A major game between Paraguay and France was set to kick off at 5:00 p.m. ET in Philadelphia on Saturday. Temperatures were expected to be higher than what the global players' union, FIFPRO, says is safe for playing soccer. Scientists say a 'heat dome' is to blame for the dangerous conditions across large parts of the U.S. and Canada.

A heat dome is a high-pressure weather system that traps hot air close to the ground, like a lid on a pot. The U.S. National Weather Service warned that heat index readings — which combine temperature and humidity to show how hot it actually feels — could reach between 105 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of the Midwest and East Coast. Many of the cities hosting World Cup matches were affected by these extreme readings.

The brutal heat is not just a problem for soccer. It could strain power grids, meaning blackouts are possible when millions of people crank up their air conditioners at the same time. The heat also threatens outdoor celebrations for the United States' 250th birthday on the Fourth of July, making it too dangerous to be outside for many Americans.

Climate scientist Friederike Otto, a professor at Imperial College London, did not hold back her frustration. 'When a historic Fourth of July celebration is disrupted, and World Cup matches are played in conditions that are unsafe for players and fans, it shouldn't take another scientific study to wake people up,' she said. She added that climate change is already affecting everyday life and will keep getting worse unless the world moves away from fossil fuels.

FIFPRO praised FIFA for trying to schedule games at safer times and locations, but said some matches still carried real health risks. The players' union warned that rising global temperatures will force sports leagues everywhere to think more carefully about when and where they hold events. Despite these warnings, FIFA currently has no rule that would automatically cancel or delay a match because of extreme heat.