As Spain and Argentina prepare to face off in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, temperatures are forecast to reach 28°C — two degrees above the threshold at which FIFPRO, the global players' union, recommends enhanced cooling measures. Yet the final will be relatively mild compared to earlier matches in the tournament.
Analysis by Reuters found that more than one in four games have experienced dangerous heat conditions, with 27 matches exceeding the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature of 28°C, a metric that accounts for humidity and air temperature. At this level, FIFPRO advises delaying or rescheduling matches. The tournament has coincided with back-to-back heatwaves that have pushed global temperatures 1.39°C above pre-industrial averages, with parts of the United States sweltering under 40°C in recent weeks.
The situation has raised urgent questions about whether stadiums built for a cooler era can cope with today's climate. “A stadium may still function, but that doesn’t mean it’s performing well,” Mark Sait, CEO of environmental consultancy SaveMoneyCutCarbon, told Euronews Earth. “If players need more protection from heat and fans are uncomfortable before they even reach their seats, the margin is already being squeezed.”
Why air conditioning is not the answer
The debate over air conditioning has intensified across Europe after scientists from World Weather Attribution (WWA) reported that extreme heat caused 10,000 excess deaths last month — temperatures they said would have been “virtually impossible” without climate change. Environmentalists warn against making air conditioning the default solution, as it contributes to the urban heat island effect by trapping hot air in concrete and asphalt, which is then released back into the atmosphere, increasing demand for indoor cooling. Refrigerants used in AC units also release greenhouse gases that drive global warming far faster than carbon dioxide.
“Air conditioning will sometimes be needed, but it cannot become the default answer to every heat problem, because that simply pushes more demand onto the energy system and makes venues more expensive to run,” Sait added. “The smarter approach is to make the building waste less energy before asking it to cool more space.”
Sait advises stadium owners to focus on retrofitting existing heating and ventilation systems. “From there, improvements such as more efficient lighting or water-saving technologies can reduce overall demand, while regular monitoring ensures those changes are delivering measurable results,” he said.
How retrofitting can cool stadiums
Retrofitting is far cheaper and more environmentally friendly than demolishing and rebuilding stadiums. Options include “cool roofs” coated with white or reflective paint to absorb less heat. A 2024 study by University College London and the University of Exeter found that widespread installation of such roofs could have cooled London by about 0.8°C during the scorching summer of 2018. Solar control glazing, which reflects infrared heat while allowing natural light to pass through, can also lower stadium temperatures without darkening the pitch.
“The key point is that retrofit should make the stadium perform better before more air conditioning is added,” Sait explained. “Done properly, it reduces unnecessary consumption, lowers running costs and creates cooler, safer spaces for fans, staff and players.”
These measures are particularly relevant for European stadiums, where many venues date back decades and face increasing heat stress. As Brussels shifts its focus to climate adaptation after last month's deadly heatwave, the lessons from the World Cup could inform how the continent prepares its sports infrastructure for a warming world.
Should FIFA move the World Cup?
Extreme heat has triggered calls to move the World Cup to cooler locations or shift match times to the evening. “FIFA and host nations should absolutely be looking at scheduling and stadium selection through a climate-focused lens now, because the time of a match is no longer just a broadcast decision, it has become part of the safety plan,” Sait said.
The question is not merely academic. With climate change already disrupting daily life across southern Europe, the pressure on football's governing body to adapt is mounting. Whether through retrofitting existing venues or rethinking the tournament calendar, the era of assuming stadiums can handle any weather is over.
