The 2026 World Cup begins Thursday with Los Angeles among 16 host cities, but experts warn that wildfire smoke could disrupt matches and harm players and fans. FIFA has protocols for heat but no specific guidelines for air quality.
Last month wildfires in southern California sent smoke over SoFi Stadium, prompting air quality advisories in Los Angeles County. The stadium will host eight games from June 12 to July 10, drawing thousands of spectators. FIFA stated that climate risks are assessed with host cities but provided no details on air quality measures. It outlined water breaks for extreme heat yet omitted thresholds for smoke exposure. Sports management professor Nicholas Watanabe said FIFA has done almost nothing and lags behind other leagues. The National Women’s Soccer League and others set Air Quality Index triggers for breaks or postponements. Experts including Mary Johnson of Harvard and Dominik Kulakowski of Clark University noted that smoke events can arise quickly and affect multiple venues across North America.