2026 FIFA World Cup approaches co-hosts USA, Mexico, and Canada grapple with challenges highlighted during the recent Club World Cup seen as trial run for the global event.
FIFA’s expert team is making several plans regarding weather, injuries, attendance, visa issues and stadium conditions to better celebrate 2026 World Cup and provide the best conditions for spectators.
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This year’s Club World Cup matches faced several problems especially due to intense heat and severe storms.
The temperature in New York during the Club World Cup matches was 39 degrees Celsius, but it felt like almost 50 degrees due to the weather.Six matches faced delays of 40 minutes to two hours due to U.S. regulations halting play when lightning strikes within 10 miles of a stadium, requiring a 30-minute wait post-storm.
Night matches escaped disruptions, but experts warn next year’s storms could delay World Cup games further. FIFPRO reports nine of the 16 host cities—Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Miami, and Monterrey among them—pose high heat-stress injury risks, prompting teams to skip practice sessions to avoid heatstroke.
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Attendance at the Club World Cup varied widely. While the final drew 81,000, four matches saw under 10,000 spectators, with one as low as 3,412. Daytime scheduling on weekdays, like noon or 3 p.m. kickoffs, contributed to low turnout. FIFA’s plan to use similar timings for the World Cup assumes fans will take time off. But U.S. visa complexities with wait times in countries like Colombia and Turkey exceeding a year, may deter international fans.
Most U.S. venues primarily NFL stadiums use artificial turf unsuitable for soccer. FIFA mandates natural grass, but temporary overlays during the Club World Cup drew criticism from players like Jude Bellingham for poor quality described as “patchy” and “a trampoline.” FIFA is testing hybrid turf systems combining natural grass with synthetic fibers. But stadiums still face challenges – roofs block sunlight and make it difficult for grass to grow.
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Read more: FIFA Club World Cup Final: Fluminense vs Chelsea Showdown at MetLife Stadium
The 2026 World Cup will be held in 16 cities from June 11 to July 19. FIFA is working to address these issues. Fans are hopeful that FIFA will organize a smooth tournament.