Rain, Heat, and Tropical Threats Are Already Shaking Up the 2026 World Cup

Mother Nature is playing a role in how the World Cup unfolds, impacting fans and players alike. Here is a look at how the weather has affected the global event, as well as what may be problem spots for some of the matches in the near future.

Fan Festivals Disrupted by Weather

World Cup fever is spreading across the planet, specifically in North America where the games are being played. It is not just the matches that are at risk of being disrupted due to the weather. All of the host cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico have also launched interactive fan experience events designed to give spectators the chance to revel in the fun, regardless of whether they have tickets for the matches.

Officials with Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia were forced to close some of the stadium fan experience areas when severe storms moved through this part of the Northeast. The festivities were brought to a halt on Sunday shortly after Côte d’Ivoire’s 1-0 upset win over Ecuador.  Fans were advised to depart the area around the stadium immediately and head to safety. Sunday's storms that hit the City of Brotherly Love were part of a complex weather system that disrupted outdoor plans up and down the East Coast over the weekend.

Earlier in the day Sunday, the fan festival in Houston was also temporarily halted due to severe weather concerns. Although Sunday's match between Germany and Curaçao was played inside a covered stadium, the festival was happening outdoors in an exposed area of East Downtown. The festival was reopened in the early afternoon after the storms moved through the city.

The eruption of storms in South Florida also forced Portugal to cancel their training camp and media conference on Sunday in Palm Beach Gardens.

What to Expect for Games in the Days Ahead

Concerns about the weather are also grabbing headlines heading into the first match scheduled in Miami. Saudi Arabia is set to take on Uruguay at 6 pm local time on Monday at Miami Stadium. The forecast in Miami is calling for unsettled weather with the threat of thunderstorms throughout the day. While the storms may dissipate before the game kicks off, pre-game festivities could be under the gun for the disruptions.