WEBINAR REPLAY | How Climate Change Could Slow Down the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup is coming to North America…and so is the heat. What starts with a packed stadium in Mexico City will take fans and players across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada – all in hopes of reaching the championship match in New Jersey on July 19th. Throughout the tournament, climate change could be influencing the game from the sidelines. New research shows it's not just the opponents players need to worry about. Rising temperatures are reshaping how the game is played, how far players can push themselves, and what fans can expect on match day. Climate Central hosted a discussion that takes you from the data to the pitch. We’ll walk through the science behind our latest analysis to understand how heat-trapping pollution is driving the odds of performance-impairing heat. We’ll detail which matches are most at risk and what hotter temperatures mean for player health and match strategy. Then we will hear directly from professional soccer players – what does it feel like when the heat is as much of an opponent as the other team? 00:00 - 3:40 Welcome 3:40 - 11:10 Science & Data Explained 11:10 - 20:20 World Cup Hub Tour 20:20 - 43:20 Athlete Conversation 43:20 - 59:59 Q&A