How extreme heat is impacting the World Cup: Rules and protocols

As the 2026 World Cup advances into the knockout stages, weather conditions remain a critical talking point. While early tournament disruptions were caused by thunderstorms, extreme heat is now expected to pose the most significant challenge for teams, particularly in host cities across the eastern United States.

Meteorologists are forecasting dangerously high temperatures, with some areas approaching 38°C (100°F) and a heat index soaring toward 43°C (110°F). These conditions place immense pressure on players, staff, and fans attending matches at open-air venues.

FIFA has implemented mandatory three-minute hydration breaks in every match, typically occurring around the 22nd and 67th minutes. While these breaks have faced criticism for interrupting match flow, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended them as a necessary measure to ensure player health and equal playing conditions throughout the 39-day tournament.

Teams are taking extensive precautions, including the use of cooling vests, ice collars, and tailored hydration plans. Many squads have engaged in acclimatisation camps to help players' bodies regulate core temperatures more efficiently under stress, recognizing that performance levels can drop significantly in extreme heat.

Unlike the strict thunderstorm protocol, which mandates a delay if lightning is detected within an eight-mile radius, there is no automatic temperature threshold that triggers a match postponement. Instead, FIFA assesses the risk using the wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) index, which accounts for humidity and solar radiation. Officials retain the authority to delay or reschedule matches if conditions are deemed unsafe for play.