Muscat: Severe heatwaves could affect the 2026 World Cup, scheduled to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, as rising temperatures driven by climate change continue to intensify, the UN Climate Change Secretariat has warned. Speaking at the start of the climate conference in Bonn, the secretariat highlighted that the tournament will take place under exceptional weather conditions that could impact both players and fans, inside stadiums and in surrounding areas and host cities.

According to Oman News Agency, Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, stated that rising temperatures are posing a growing challenge to sports and daily life. He noted that the effects of climate change extend to many sectors, including food security and the economy. The secretariat emphasized that some matches may be played in extremely hot conditions, necessitating preventive measures to protect fans and mitigate heat-related risks.