NEW YORK : Fans and players at the World Cup are set to face extreme heat this week as a powerful “heat dome” settles over large parts of the central and eastern United States and southern Canada during the tournament’s knockout stage.
The weather pattern, caused by a large area of high pressure trapping heat and humidity, is expected to produce dangerous conditions, with heat index values forecast to reach 105 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit (40.6 to 46.1 degrees Celsius) in parts of the Midwest and East Coast, according to the U.S. National Weather Service.
The intense heat is forecast to persist through the U.S. Independence Day holiday weekend, with host cities including Toronto, Kansas City, East Rutherford, New Jersey, and Philadelphia expected to be affected.
“Even after the sun goes down, it’s still going to be very hot,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alan Reppert said.
“We’re at a pattern that’s really going to be hot during the good portion of the afternoon and even into the evening hours.”
Reppert said New York, where nearby East Rutherford will host a Round of 16 match on July 5, could experience its highest temperatures since 2013, with even evening kickoffs offering only limited relief.
“The sun will be down,” he said. “That will help make things better, but it’s still going to be hot.”
The conditions are likely to renew concerns over player welfare that surfaced during last year’s Club World Cup in the United States, when global players’ union FIFPRO described the extreme temperatures as a “wake-up call.”
FIFA introduced mandatory three-minute hydration breaks in each half for all World Cup matches this year. Supporters say the measure helps protect players, while critics argue it disrupts the rhythm of games.
World soccer’s governing body did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether additional measures would be introduced to protect players and spectators during the expected heatwave.
Toronto, which hosts Portugal’s Round of 32 match against Croatia on Thursday, activated its Heat Relief Strategy after Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a heat warning covering Tuesday through Friday.
Some venues will be less exposed to the extreme conditions. Stadiums in Atlanta, Dallas and Houston feature retractable roofs and air conditioning, providing significant relief from the heat.
However, conditions outside venues are expected to remain challenging, particularly in cities such as Dallas, where extensive concrete and asphalt surfaces can intensify temperatures.
Alina Mitina, an emergency department physician at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, urged supporters to take precautions, including seeking shade, staying hydrated and recognising the symptoms of heat-related illness.
“Shady areas will really save lives in these types of situations,” Mitina said.
“So as long as there’s lots of shade and areas to buy water, I think they’re going to be in really good shape.”
