PHILADELPHIA — A powerful heat wave gripping the eastern United States is colliding with the FIFA World Cup's knockout stage this week, prompting official heat warnings in several host cities as organizers and health experts urge caution for fans attending outdoor matches.
The National Weather Service has issued extreme heat advisories for multiple World Cup host cities in the Northeast, where daytime temperatures in the 90s Fahrenheit combined with high humidity have created dangerous conditions, according to the agency. Some areas are expected to approach or set new heat records this week, forecasters said.
A Philadelphia-area weather service advisory warned that overnight lows in the mid-70s to low 80s would offer little relief from daytime heat, a condition that could affect an evening match in the city. High temperatures were also expected to threaten matches in Kansas City and Miami, with hot conditions potentially persisting into the weekend, when a match is scheduled in New Jersey.
Daniel Vecellio, a climate scientist at the University of Nebraska at Omaha who studies extreme heat, said the tournament had entered its most punishing stretch of weather. "We are definitely getting into the hottest part," Vecellio said.
An analysis of historical weather conditions found that more than a third of this year's World Cup matches carry a high risk of dangerous heat and humidity, with Philadelphia identified as among the highest-risk host cities. The same analysis found a match scheduled for July 4 in Philadelphia was particularly likely to occur in hazardous conditions.
Vecellio said older adults and people with underlying medical conditions should weigh carefully whether to attend outdoor matches in the hottest host cities this week. He said age is among the most significant factors in heat vulnerability, because older individuals generally sweat less and have greater difficulty regulating body temperature. People with heart disease also face heightened risk, he said, because heat and humidity place additional strain on the cardiovascular system.
The heat wave adds to mounting scrutiny of extreme weather risks at major outdoor sporting events, as scientists say climate change is contributing to more frequent record-breaking heat waves. Tournament organizers have not announced schedule changes in response to the heat.
The National Weather Service advisories remain in effect across the affected region, with forecasters continuing to monitor conditions as the World Cup knockout rounds proceed through the coming days.
