The 2026 World Cup is currently underway across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, where players and fans are facing various weather-related challenges. While the tournament is in its early stages, several regions are experiencing extreme heat, severe thunderstorms, and potential tropical storms. In the U.S., an estimated 26 million people are experiencing extreme heat across the West, the Plains, and the Southeast, with some areas potentially reaching 108 degrees, roughly 5 to 10 degrees above typical mid-June levels. Heat and humidity are identified as the broadest challenges for the tournament. The humidity of the southeastern U.S. Is expected to produce significant heat strain even at lower temperatures, while Monterrey, Mexico, faces high temperatures. Fifa assesses heat-stress risk using the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) index. While many exercise physiologists consider 28C WBGT to be the level where high-exertion play becomes unsafe, Fifa’s own threshold for considering action is 32C. A 2025 study projected that 14 of the 16 host cities will exceed 28C at least some of the time, though some stadiums feature roofs and air-conditioning to mitigate these conditions. Other weather risks include thunderstorms and tropical storms. Lightning and heavy rain already delayed a warm-up match in Orlando, where safety regulations require play to be suspended if lightning is recorded within roughly 8 miles. Tropical storms are a risk for Mexican venues, Houston, and Miami due to the early Atlantic season. Also, Mexico City presents challenges due to its altitude of approximately 2,240 meters, which can accelerate player fatigue. In contrast, Canadian venues are expected to remain comparatively cool with a lower risk of disruptive storms. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service has issued warnings for severe thunderstorms, flash flooding, and nocturnal tornadoes across several states. Some of these temperature shifts may be linked to El Niño, a natural climate pattern that warms surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific and can amplify warming driven by climate change.