Coming off a controversial yet memorable World Cup in Qatar where summer temperatures were so high, game were-in an unprecedented move-held in the fall and pre=holiday months, heat once against is knocking on the World Cup’s door ahead of 2026.

Revealed in a recent study by the International Journal of Biometeorology titled, “Forecasting Thermal Stress for Sports Tourists at the 2026 World Cup,” the wide-ranging awareness of heat threats come at a time when organizational pressures are mounting. President Trump, long a proponent of hosting both the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, has created a World Cup Task force. Perhaps mountain heat concerns for tourists will be one item that’s addressed in the coming months-to the extent that it can be meaningfully addresses.

As the study notes, an increase in the number or teams participating to 16 increases risks of thermal stress impacts such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke, hyperthermia and exertional heat illness. These realities, the study advises, call for “responsible management practices for mega events.” Furthermore, the study pointed out that the event is liekly going to be replete with at-risk fans who “(1) make travel decisions far in advance, (2) are motivated by non-weather factors, and (3) may be unacclimated to local thermal stress conditions.”

One surprising element on the study was the revelation that, quote, “sports tourists spectating event are often at greatest risks to thermal stress than athletes.” With that stark reality in mind, perhaps leaders would to well to fast-track a solution-or at the very least preventative measures.