Published by non-profit Football For Future and Common Goal, the Pitches in Peril report highlights how 14 of the 16 stadiums hosting the 2026 World Cup already exceed safe-play thresholds for extreme heat, unplayable rainfall, and flooding.
These risks are set to intensify at every venue by 2050, with nearly 90% of stadiums projected to face extreme heat conditions – unsafe without adaptation – while 11 will experience unplayable heat.
Based on climate modelling by Jupiter Intelligence, the findings show that Miami, Houston, Monterrey and Dallas are the most vulnerable stadiums; each facing 100-160 days of unplayable heat by midway of this century, alongside compounding risks such as flash flooding and extreme winds.
The study also involved a first-of-its-kind poll of fans across North America, which found that 96% of Mexican, 90% of Canadian, and 87% of US fans believe the World Cup should be a global role model for sustainability in sport.
It comes after soaring temperatures and humidity led to major complaints from players and coaches at this summer's Club World Cup in the US.
"Nothing is more important than protecting our planet, and no cultural phenomenon is more powerful that football," said Elliot Arthur-Worsop, founding director at Football For Future. "Across history, football has mirrored the forces shaping our world, from industrialisation to globalisation. Today, it faces a new test: the climate crisis.
"I've never been more energised by the potential of a sector to break the echo chamber and inspire meaningful change. It's time to give climate science the respect it deserves and to champion the values football embodies: belief, teamwork, accountability. Every club, player, fan and organisation has role to play.”
The study also found that two-thirds of grassroots pitches where football legends like Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah grew up will face unsafe or unplayable heat conditions by 2050.
Grassroots sites in the Global South are hit hardest, facing an average of seven times more unplayable heat days than the Global North and often lacking resources for adaptation.
Meanwhile, the fan polling found that that 91% of all respondents would feel proud if their club took visible climate action, and 92% would support players speaking publicly about climate change.
“Climate change is no longer a distant warning – it is already reshaping football, from grassroots pitches to iconic stadiums, from community football to major competitions," said Jeremy Houssin, sustainability and impact lead at Common Goal.
"This report marks a breakthrough, offering the football world the scientific clarity it needs to act now, protect its foundation, and keep the beautiful game alive for generations to come."
Image credit: Shutterstock
Chris Seekings is the Deputy Editor of ISEP’s Transform magazine, which is published biomonthly for ISEP members. Chris’s role involves writing sustainability-related news, features and interviews, as well as helping to plan and manage the magazine’s other day-to-day activities.
