Weather Risks for FIFA World Cup 2026: Heat, Storms, and Tornadoes
As the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on June 11, weather-related risks are a significant focus for event organizers. The tournament, hosted across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, faces potential challenges from extreme heat, thunderstorms, tornadoes, flash flooding, and even wildfires. Experts, including University of Hawaiʻi planning professor Karl Kim and collaborators from the National Center for Disaster Preparedness and private firms, are working to assess and mitigate these risks. Each host city presents unique weather conditions, requiring tailored preparedness strategies. For example, MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which will host several matches including the final on July 19, is prone to summer heat waves, thunderstorms, and flooding. The team is also addressing fan safety, particularly in extreme heat, by ensuring adequate water availability and situational awareness for rapidly changing weather conditions. 
