Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Kassar practices at Q2 stadium last month on June 18 in Austin. His team lost to Cabo Verde in a June 26 match in Houston, where temperatures that day reached 94 degrees and humidity-driven heat index values hit the triple digits.

Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Kassar practices at Q2 stadium last month on June 18 in Austin. His team lost to Cabo Verde in a June 26 match in Houston, where temperatures that day reached 94 degrees and humidity-driven heat index values hit the triple digits.

Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

FIFA World Cup fans traveling to the next round of matches will have more to think about than just tickets, transportation, and kickoff times. As the peak of summer approaches, dangerous heat is expected across many of the tournament’s host cities.

A sprawling heat dome has settled over the eastern half of the United States and will continue to bake the region through the Fourth of July weekend. That includes host cities such as Kansas City, Miami, Atlanta, and Philadelphia, where several matches are scheduled over the holiday weekend.

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Heat risk levels across the United States on Thursday will range from “minor” and “moderate” in most of Texas to a “major” heat risk in the Mississippi River valley. Areas in the Rust Belt will be under an “extreme” heat risk. 

Heat risk levels across the United States on Thursday will range from “minor” and “moderate” in most of Texas to a “major” heat risk in the Mississippi River valley. Areas in the Rust Belt will be under an “extreme” heat risk. 

Weather Prediction CenterHeat risk levels across the United States on Friday will range from “minor” and “moderate” in most of Texas to a “major” heat risk across the South. Areas in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Tennessee will be under an “extreme” heat risk. 

Heat risk levels across the United States on Friday will range from “minor” and “moderate” in most of Texas to a “major” heat risk across the South. Areas in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Tennessee will be under an “extreme” heat risk. 

Weather Prediction CenterHeat risk levels across the United States on Saturday will range from “minor” and “moderate” in most of Texas to a “major” heat risk across the South. Areas in Ohio, Virginia and Tennessee will be under an “extreme” heat risk. 

Heat risk levels across the United States on Saturday will range from “minor” and “moderate” in most of Texas to a “major” heat risk across the South. Areas in Ohio, Virginia and Tennessee will be under an “extreme” heat risk. 

Weather Prediction CenterHeat risk levels across the United States on Sunday will range from “moderate” in most of Texas to a “major” heat risk across the southeast, particularly Georgia. Areas in Virginia and the Carolinas will be under an “extreme” heat risk. 

Heat risk levels across the United States on Sunday will range from “moderate” in most of Texas to a “major” heat risk across the southeast, particularly Georgia. Areas in Virginia and the Carolinas will be under an “extreme” heat risk. 

Weather Prediction Center

A heat dome is a large area of high pressure that acts like a lid on the atmosphere, trapping hot air near the ground. Air sinks under high pressure and as it does, it compresses and warms, allowing temperatures to climb day after day. 

SUMMER HEAT: Heat dome expands from Texas to East Coast ahead of July 4 — how hot will it get?

In these areas, afternoon temperatures will soar into the upper 90s and lower 100s, but the combination of heat and humidity will make it feel even hotter, with heat index values ranging from 100 to 110 degrees. In fact, some of these cities will feel even hotter than parts of Texas.

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Excessive heat continues across the eastern half of the United States this week. These are the forecast highs across the country for Friday. 

Excessive heat continues across the eastern half of the United States this week. These are the forecast highs across the country for Friday. 

Pivotal

Luckily, the World Cup matches are spaced out across North America so advancing teams, and their fans, will finally get out of the oppressive heat. 

Overall, a recent study ranked World Cup host cities by average temperature to reveal where fans may need to be most careful about staying hydrated during the tournament.

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Using daily data from the National Centers for Environmental Information, the study looked at average temperatures in each World Cup host city during meteorological summer (June, July and August) between 2020 and 2024.

The research found that Dallas is the hottest host city, with an average temperature of 86.5 degrees, narrowly ahead of Monterrey in Mexico, which recorded 86.4 degrees.

Although these average temperatures can make the heat appear manageable, anyone who has attended a match in person or even an off-site watch party can tell you temperatures don’t tell the whole story.

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The match day heat experience can include sitting in a stadium seat for two hours, standing in security lines or at food kiosks, all while sharing body heat with thousands of others. Not only do you quickly become dehydrated drinking alcohol, but you also risk being overheated spending so much of the sunny day on hot pavement with little to no shade.

Texas matches

As the World Cup continues over the next month, Texas will host several matches, including two this weekend in Houston and Dallas. Fans traveling to these events will experience the hottest weather of the season so far, with afternoon highs nearing 100 degrees in Dallas and reaching the mid-90s in Houston. Factor in the humidity, and it will feel more like 106 degrees during the hottest part of the day.

Dallas and Houston temperatures will be in the middle 90s to lower 100s this weekend but they will feel much hotter when you factor in the humidity. 

Dallas and Houston temperatures will be in the middle 90s to lower 100s this weekend but they will feel much hotter when you factor in the humidity. 

Pivotal

Fortunately, both AT&T Stadium in Dallas and NRG Stadium in Houston — two of the four World Cup venues with retractable roofs — will provide relief from the heat. Organizers and FIFA have confirmed the roofs will remain closed and the venues fully air-conditioned throughout the tournament to help protect players and fans from Texas’ intense summer heat and humidity.

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Heat safety tips for World Cup fans

Whether you’re heading to a World Cup match or exploring the host cities before kickoff, be prepared for dangerous summer heat. 

Here are a few ways to stay safe:

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Hydrate early and often. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and limit alcohol, which can increase the risk of dehydration.
Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing, along with a hat and sunglasses, and apply sunscreen regularly.
Plan around the hottest part of the day. If possible, limit outdoor activities between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., when temperatures and heat index values are at their highest.
Take advantage of air conditioning. Spend time in cooled buildings before and after the match, and don’t linger outdoors longer than necessary.
Know the signs of heat illness. Heavy sweating, dizziness, headache, nausea, muscle cramps, and fatigue can all be early signs of heat exhaustion. If symptoms worsen or someone becomes confused or loses consciousness, call 911 immediately, as heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency.
Look out for others. Check on children, older adults, and anyone with underlying health conditions, as they are especially vulnerable to extreme heat.