by Daniel Brouse
June 30, 2025
The FIFA Club World Cup group stage, currently underway in the United States as a test run for next year’s World Cup, has drawn global attention to the escalating climate crisis on U.S. soil. Severe weather has already disrupted the tournament, with six matches postponed due to climate-related extreme events including supercells, violent rainfall, and record-breaking heat.
Even when matches proceed, safety concerns are mounting. In San Francisco, extreme heat during match days led to widespread heat stress among fans, many of whom were not permitted to bring water into the stadium, while water inside was expensive and not readily accessible. Medical teams reported a spike in heat-related illnesses, with some fans requiring hospitalization.
The disruptions are more than logistical hiccups; they are symptoms of a worsening climate emergency impacting public safety, infrastructure, and event viability. The United States is experiencing increasing heatwaves, more intense storms, and rainfall extremes fueled by the accelerating climate crisis. These events not only threaten the safety of players and fans but also challenge the planning and insurance structures behind global sporting events.
Critics are now calling on FIFA to consider moving the 2026 World Cup out of the peak summer months, similar to the decision made for the Qatar World Cup, where matches were shifted to cooler months to protect players and fans from extreme heat. Some are even questioning whether the United States is a viable host for the World Cup at all, drawing uncomfortable comparisons between the U.S. climate and the heat challenges faced in desert states and sub-Saharan regions.
FIFA is reportedly reassessing heat protocols, infrastructure resilience, and even venue suitability ahead of the 2026 World Cup. There is growing concern within FIFA leadership that the U.S. may not be prepared to ensure fan and player safety in the face of intensifying climate impacts.
The situation highlights the intersection between global sports and the climate crisis, demonstrating that no sector is immune to the cascading disruptions of climate change. For FIFA, players, and millions of fans around the world, the question is no longer whether climate change will affect global tournaments, but how soon and how severely—and whether host nations can adapt in time to protect the safety and dignity of the sport.