WHO partners with FIFA to shield World Cup participants from heat

The World Health Organization’s director‑general announced that the agency has entered a formal partnership with FIFA to address the extreme heat expected at the 2026 World Cup. The collaboration will focus on safeguarding the health of players, staff and spectators across the tournament’s venues in the United States, Canada and Mexico, where temperatures are projected to reach well above 30 °C (86 °F) during many matches.

Under the agreement, WHO will provide heat‑related health guidance, support the deployment of cooling stations, and advise on hydration protocols and real‑time monitoring of heat stress for all participants. FIFA will integrate these recommendations into stadium operations, ticketing policies and public communications to mitigate the risk of heat‑related illness. The partnership aims to ensure that the event proceeds safely despite the challenging climate conditions.