With temperatures rising worldwide, scientists warn that staging the World Cup and other soccer tournaments in the Northern Hemisphere summer is getting increasingly dangerous for both players and spectators. Some suggest that FIFA may have to consider adjusting the soccer calendar to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses.

Ticket pricing, adverse weather, pitches, travel problems - there is much to be worked on before next summer's international tournament

ESPN also noted that FIFPRO executives suggested canceling FIFA Club World Cup matches in Philadelphia due to the heat, as temperatures went beyond their threshold of 82.4 degrees on the WetBulb Globe Temperature gauge. According to WeatherSpark, the average temperature in Philadelphia for late June is around 87 degrees.

FIFA says applications for tickets for the 2026 World Cup will open Sept. 10. The next edition of the tournament, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, kicks off at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 11.

The FIFA Club World Cup exposed some significant issues that could hamper the 2026 World Cup, with hot weather being among the top concerns.

FIFA, world soccer’s governing body, said that “the application period for the first ticket draw” will open on Sept. 10.

After the match, which Trump called “a bit of an upset” in a post-game interview, Trump was asked if he could issue an executive order to rename soccer “football” in the United States. Despite the let-down match, Trump lit up when a reporter suggested penning a new executive order officially renaming soccer “football” in the US.

US President Donald Trump remained on stage as Chelsea lifted the FIFA Club World Cup and his son Barron is likely to have been unimpressed by his actions