How Climate Change Could Slow Down the 2026 World Cup
Data, Graphs, and Maps
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Earth and Space Sciences, Health
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Provided by Climate Central
What it is
- This interactive hub explores how heat could affect player performance across all of the 2026 World Cup matches.
- Students can browse climate data and stories for every team, match, and stadium, including forecast high temperatures and an index that measures the added impact of climate change.
Teaching tips
Classroom Implementation:
- Have students explore the interactive website; then, facilitate a discussion about the controversial mandatory hydration breaks instituted by FIFA this year.
- As a class, discuss whether it is fair for weather to affect teams differently, and generalize this idea to think about environmental justice.
- Use the Climate Shift Index as an entry point to discuss probability and how scientists attribute the influence of climate change on specific events.
Extensions:
- Engage students in a design process where they choose a World Cup stadium or local sports venue to retrofit for extreme heat conditions under a set of constraints.
- Consider how sports also affect climate change with this podcast by Olympians Etienne Stott and Laura Baldwin.
From the scientist review
This resource analyzes how climate change is impacting player performance in the 2026 World Cup matches. A complete methodology is available, which cites peer-reviewed literature and relies on the trusted NOAA Global Forecast System. This resource explores how climate change is impacting sports’ largest global event and is recommended for teaching.
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