Warning shot for 2026: Club World Cup’s brutal heat exposes a World Cup risk

That the US gets hot in the summer is hardly breaking news. Even if it may not give any one team an advantage, it puts players, fans and officials at risk

Real Madrid's players during a cooling break at their match against Pachuca in Charlotte. Picture: Paul Ellis/Getty Images

In the 31 years since the United States last hosted the men’s World Cup, a few things remain unchanged.

Recent politics notwithstanding, the US population is diverse and air travel is relatively easy, so international games tend to attract supporters no matter where they live. As long as ticket prices are reasonable, a good crowd is a good bet.