Extreme heat is expected to affect this week’s World Cup matches due to a “heat dome” over the central and eastern US, along with parts of Canada. This weather phenomenon could lead to dangerously high temperatures reaching 105-115 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of the Midwest and East Coast.
The Fourth of July holiday weekend will see matches from Toronto to Kansas City, New Jersey, and Philadelphia all feeling the heat. AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alan Reppert predicts that New York’s match on July 5 could see its highest temperatures since 2013, even in the evening when it gets darker.
Player safety and welfare have been a concern due to last year’s Club World Cup held in the US. FIFA has implemented mandatory three-minute hydration breaks per half for all matches this year, but critics argue that these breaks disrupt gameplay flow.
World Soccer’s governing body did not immediately respond to requests for additional measures during intense heat periods. Some stadiums hosting matches under the “heat dome” have retractable roofs and air conditioning, providing relief. Fans are advised to seek shade and watch for signs of heat-related illness like dizziness.