2026 World Cup Faces 90F Heat and Lightning Delays Across 104 Games
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 12
2026 World Cup Faces 90F Heat and Lightning Delays Across 104 Games
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 12
Summary
A sizeable share of the 2026 World Cup’s 104 matches is expected to be played above 90F, making it likely the hottest North American edition since 1994.
Thunderstorms may pose the bigger disruption: U.S. protocol suspends matches when lightning is detected within 8 miles, with a 30-minute clock that resets after each new strike.
That risk has already shown its impact in similar events — Chelsea’s Club World Cup match in Charlotte last summer took 4 hours 38 minutes to finish after repeated lightning delays.
Friday’s opening forecasts are calmer: Canada’s 3 p.m. match in Toronto should be near 80F with gusts up to 30 mph and a UV index of 9, while the U.S. game at SoFi should stay around 77F under mostly sunny skies.