2026 World Cup venues are dangerous due to extreme heat

Reuters

La Jornada Newspaper, Wednesday, September 10, 2025, p. a10

London. The 2026 World Cup could be the last in North America without urgent climate adaptation, according to a new study highlighting extreme weather threats.

The Pitch in Danger report, prepared by NGOs Football for Future and Common Goal, reveals that 10 of the 16 World Cup venues are at very high risk of extreme heat stress.

Furthermore, 14 of the 16 stadiums in the United States, Canada, and Mexico—in the case of BBVA—exceeded safety thresholds in 2025 for at least three of the main climate risks: extreme heat, torrential rains, and flooding.

Thirteen already experience at least one day each summer when the FIFA threshold for hydration breaks is exceeded: 32 degrees Celsius Wet Globe Temperature (WGBT), an internationally recognized index used to measure human heat stress in direct sunlight.

Temperatures in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Miami, and Monterey have all surpassed that mark in two months or more.

Ten of these cities experience at least one day each summer with a WBGT of 35 degrees, identified by climate scientists as the limit of human adaptability to extreme heat, with Dallas (31 days) and Houston (51) being the hardest hit. While stadiums in these cities will mitigate the heat with covers, the risks extend beyond elite venues.

The Club World Cup in the United States offered a worrying warning, with conditions described as impossible by players. Extreme heat and storms forced FIFA to adapt its protocols, adding cooling breaks, shaded benches, and fans.

“As we move into the decade, the risks will increase unless we take drastic measures, such as moving tournaments to the winter months or to colder regions,” said Piers Forster, director of the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures in Leeds.

The 96-page report urges the football industry to commit to achieving the goal of zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Of the 3,600 fans surveyed in the host countries, 91 percent want the World Cup to be a model of sustainability.

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Wednesday, September 10, 2025, p. a11

Every Mexican match seems to be played on hot coals, as if the future of the coaching staff headed by Javier Aguirre depends on winning or losing. If criticism for Saturday's goalless draw against Japan inundated the Basque team with questions, yesterday's 2-2 draw against South Korea only extinguished the fire for this FIFA World Cup. For this team, it's no longer a surprise. For several years now, the road to the World Cup has been marked by the same pressure and urgency to obtain results. Not only on home soil.

With more than 20,000 fans—mostly Mexican—at Geodis Park, the match for the Mexican team was far from a simple friendly. At least at the start, midfielders Lee Kang-in and Jun-Ho Bae managed to briefly challenge Raúl Rangel's goal with shots that flew past. This was the moment when Aguirre's team showed the least control and confidence, boosted by their usual home advantage in the United States, but with serious doubts about playing more daringly. Just when the Asian Tigers' performance seemed to be at their most dangerous, Raúl Jiménez found one of those aerial passes he likes so much. Rodrigo Huescas crossed from the right and the Fulham striker converted a header to make it 1-0 (22).

With an off-kilter move, Mexico took the lead without their opponents letting their guard down. Jiménez never got close again in the first half, nor did Hirving Lozano or Germán Berterame find a way out of the labyrinth in which Korea hid the ball. It was only fleeting moments, often thwarted by offside calls or clearances from central defenders, that the Mexican side produced in their attempt to take control of the match. But they failed. The introduction of Son Heung-Min, a former Tottenham star in the English Premier League, began the South Koreans' ambush in the second half.

▲ Raúl Jiménez scored El Tri 's first goal and continues his scoring streak. AP Photo

Son not only brought a wealth of skills to the offense, but also took charge of solving his teammates' attacking problems in a span of 10 minutes. First, he tied the score with a left-footed volley that whizzed through Rangel's hands (65), and after a series of back-and-forths, he participated in the play that Oh Hyeon-gyu finally defined to achieve a comeback with sufficient merits (75). Aguirre did not know how to counter the waves of such an earthquake. He replaced his starting forwards, varied his way of pressing and defending, but ended up shouting at the referees again, with the exhaustion that comes with desperation.

Only Milan striker Santiago Giménez, after a half-turn shot that goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu practically saved from the corner, avoided disaster with a second attempt from the crescent (90+4). Mexico was still struggling with the storm, sinking as it wasted attempts in the opposing area, until it found its way and solved the puzzle. As it did a few days ago against Japan, the fans recognized its effort, though not the level it has shown less than a year before the World Cup. If it was held scoreless against Japan, South Korea—a team that will participate in the next World Cup and maintains its status as an Asian powerhouse—represented the end of a test with negative effects.

Alberto Aceves

La Jornada Newspaper, Wednesday, September 10, 2025, p. a11

Despite resistance from managers and players who argue that the added matches overload an already packed football calendar, the 2025 Club World Cup – in which 32 teams participated and US President Donald Trump presented the champion's trophy to Chelsea captain Reece James – reached an audience of 2.7 billion viewers across various media outlets, according to a report by data analysis and measurement company Nielsen Sports.

Stadium attendance in the 11 host cities, where weather conditions—thunderstorms, flooding, and temperatures of nearly 40 degrees Celsius—alerted members of the global union of football professionals, was 2.5 million fans, meaning the tournament, according to FIFA measurements, managed to ensure that 80 percent of fans were watching the results.

“These preliminary figures confirm that the Club World Cup has been a global success, exceeding all expectations,” said Mattias Grafstrom, secretary general of the world's governing body, in a message released on the organization's official website. “FIFA made a commitment to organizing a tournament for the enjoyment of its fans, and they embraced it with unparalleled enthusiasm.”

On the digital front, the official accounts for the last World Cup—expanded from seven to 32 teams, with a group stage and a knockout phase starting in the round of 16—accrued 9 million followers on social media, and the channels of DAZN, the network that acquired the broadcast rights and broadcast all 63 matches for free, generated more than 10 billion reactions. “The tournament demonstrated how powerful sport can be when offered from a digital and audience-focused perspective,” explained DAZN Group CEO Shay Segev.

According to various reports, more than 131 million people watched the tournament in Brazil, equivalent to 62 percent of the country's population. In Spain, another 24 million viewers watched the competition, while in Saudi Arabia, which has emerged as a disruptive player in the international football scene, a crowd of fans watched the match between Manchester City and Al Hilal, reaching 77.9 percent of the audience at the time of broadcast.

In the case of Mexican clubs, the River Plate-Monterrey match captured 87 percent of the television audience in Argentina.

Adriana Díaz Reyes

La Jornada Newspaper, Wednesday, September 10, 2025, p. a11

After two seasons without facing each other, Diablos Rojos and Charros de Jalisco will write the first chapter of the King's Series today at the Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium.

With two experienced coaches at the helm, the teams will seek the crown, supported by their players' international experience and hunger for victory.

"The key is to let the players' talents work. Mentally, they're very strong because they've played a lot of high-level baseball, including the Major Leagues," said Lorenzo Bundy, the Pingos' manager.

True to form, Benjamín Gil shared his confidence in the Charros; a team that "has few weaknesses."

"It doesn't matter if we did well a week or three ago; the most important game is tomorrow (today). My players know how to play the best baseball, and the chances of winning are great."

In the centennial year of the Mexican Baseball League (LMB), the Diablos dream of extending their winning streak.

"We're not going to give anything away in the game because it's not Christmas. Charros is playing very well, but we have a very solid team that wants to win another championship," Bundy added.

After overcoming difficult seasons, the Guadalajara natives are brimming with confidence.

"From the first match, I knew we'd get here. My players have a lot of experience and are extremely comfortable in big matches."

At the conference, attended by Horacio de la Vega, president of the LMB, the "108 Costuras" trophy was presented. The trophy, made of wood, silver, and gold, will be lifted by the champions.

▲ The Guadalajara team gave Mexico its best-ever result in this sport in South Korea. Photo: World Archery

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Wednesday, September 10, 2025, p. a12

When Maya Becerra shoots an arrow, her aim is usually spot on. So much so that, in 2024, the Mexican archer received World Archery's distinction as the season's top ten shooter.

Yesterday, at the World Championships, the Guadalajara native hit the bull's-eye again, becoming world champion in compound bows and giving our country its best result in individual history.

“In the end, it was really hard and I could barely see, so I just hoped for the best. I prayed to God or whoever answered to give me a good arrow, and in the end, it worked out,” he said.

In Gwangju, South Korea, Maya defeated Salvadoran Sofía Paiz 147-146 in a rainy duel. It was her third medal, and she also took the podium in the mixed compound archery (bronze) and women's team (gold).

"I was actually a little nervous during the final rounds, but I managed to overcome my insecurities and defeat a very talented opponent. It's been a spectacular season for me," she said.

The 25-year-old athlete made good on her status as world number one and claimed the gold medal that had eluded her in previous years. Becerra won bronze at the 2021 Yankton Games and improved on her performance at the 2023 Berlin Games by taking silver. Yesterday, she finally reached the top of the podium.

“The key is perseverance, never losing sight of your goals, even if things don't go the way you want.”

In the quarterfinals, the Jalisco native defeated fellow Mexican Mariana Bernal, in the semifinals she defeated Colombian Alejandra Usquiano (bronze) and in the gold medal match she defeated the Salvadoran.

Becerra's success is the product of more than a decade of work. Her career began to take off in 2019 when she won the World University Games, and she hasn't stopped shining since.

The Mexican has accumulated six gold medals so far this season. She won two medals at the 2025 World Games, one individual and one silver for the mixed team, as well as six medals at the World Outdoor Archery Championships between 2021 and 2025. Her contribution has been key to our country's continued dominance in the sport.

The future looks promising for the Jalisco-born archer, especially with her eyes set on Los Angeles 2028, where the sport will debut in the mixed team category.

“I wish there were more events, but it's just a start. We have a lot of work to do to ensure our debut is a podium finish. We're really excited to participate in an event that's a dream for any athlete.”

“I always knew I wanted to be the best, not only in Mexico, but in the world,” she said in her early years as a national team player.

To date, our country has won three medals at the world competition; Maya has participated in all of them.

The Guadalajara native will look to close out her brilliant season with a flourish in the World Cup final, a tournament taking place from October 17-19 in Nanjing, China.

▲ With a penalty goal from Enner Valencia (13), Ecuador took advantage of Lionel Messi's absence and beat Argentina 1-0 in a duel between teams already qualified for the 2026 World Cup. In El Alto, Bolivia made the most of its high altitude stronghold by beating Brazil 1-0. With Venezuela's defeat to Colombia (6-3), La Verde secured a ticket to the playoff that will decide the last two spots in the World Cup. Photo AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Wednesday, September 10, 2025, p. a35