The FIFA Club World Cup will be an international soccer spectacle, but for this year, the tournament faces a danger that no team can avoid: scorching heat. While the world’s best clubs get set to battle each other in the United States, FIFA and meteorologists are sounding warnings of dangerous heat in some of the host cities. Is it the hottest—and most risky—World Club Cup in history?
Why FIFA is on red alert: The science of the ‘extreme’ heat threat to the Club World Cup
FIFA has never been so focused on the involvement of climate change in its publicity-grabbing tournaments. “Extreme heat is a risk for players and spectators at the Club World Cup,” says The Guardian, as forecasters predict multiple American cities are likely to break records for high temperatures during the tournament.
The science is clear: global warming is causing more intense and more numerous heatwaves, particularly in North America. The reality that the Club World Cup is held during the summer season places it right in the middle of these extreme weather conditions. As a FIFA spokesperson explained to The Guardian, “We are confronted with a new reality where heat is a determining factor in planning tournaments.”
This is how the worst-hit cities are preparing for the heat—and why some are more vulnerable than others
Not all host cities will be equally impacted. Both The Mirror and The Guardian report that cities such as Dallas, Houston, and Miami will bear the brunt of the heat during the tournament. Dallas, in turn, has already experienced temperatures going over 40°C (104°F) in previous years, and weather predictions indicate similar, and sometimes higher, readings during the Club World Cup.
Miami, another key host city, is also on high alert. The Guardian notes that “Miami’s combination of heat and humidity can push the heat index to dangerous levels,” increasing the risk of heatstroke and dehydration. These cities are implementing additional cooling stations, hydration protocols, and medical support to protect everyone involved.
The numbers: How extreme heat could impact players, fans, and the tournament itself
The dangers are not theoretical. The Mirror reports that “FIFA is concerned about the well-being of players and spectators,” with doctors cautioning that extended exposure to heat can cause serious health consequences. Matches held in late afternoons or early evenings are particularly dangerous since stadiums become heat-traps.
Different teams are rescheduling training sessions and away trips to have minimum exposure to the heat, The Guardian says. The organisers are also planning to reschedule the kick-off times, and they are planning to increase the number of kick-offs in the evening in order to stay away from the hottest part of the day.
“We are doing everything in our power,” said a FIFA spokesperson, “but the fact is extreme heat is now a feature of summer tournaments in the US.”
This is how global warming is compelling football to adapt—and what this means for the future of the game
The Club World Cup heat crisis is a wake-up call to world football. Both sources agree that global climate change is not an intangible threat anymore—it’s a current risk that needs to be tackled right now. FIFA is investing in research, infrastructure development, and new rules to help avoid rising temperatures in cities and stadiums. Experts caution, however, that adaptation can only get one so far.
As the FIFA Club World Cup begins, eyes will be on the field—but the ultimate test may be surviving the heat. As cities like Dallas, Houston, and Miami prepare for record temperatures, the tournament is a test of fire for players, tourists, and hosts alike. The outcome could remake football in a warmer world.
