England fans warned of serious health risks from extreme Texas heat at World Cup
England are set to play their first match of the World Cup against Croatia in Texas
England supporters heading to Texas for next month’s World Cup opener against Croatia are among those most vulnerable to health complications stemming from extreme heat , academics have cautioned. While the AT&T Stadium in Arlington boasts air-conditioning, offering protection to players and spectators inside the venue from soaring temperatures, the primary concern lies outside. The World Weather Attribution (WWA) group of academics has specifically highlighted the climate’s impact on fans travelling to matches, queuing for entry, and attending outdoor fan festivals.
WWA research indicates a one in three probability of the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) surpassing 28 degrees Celsius in Dallas for the England match on 17 June, among other fixtures. The WBGT is an index measuring the body’s ability to cool itself, with the world players’ union FIFPRO recommending match postponements when this figure exceeds 28 degrees. Dallas’ AT&T Stadium, where England play their first World Cup match against Croatia on 17 June 2026 (Getty) Overall, WWA anticipates nine of the 104 matches will be played above 26 degrees, a threshold where FIFPRO advises safety measures, with approximately five expected to exceed 28 degrees.
Dr Chris Millington, from Imperial College London, believes the greatest danger is posed to spectators, despite players being elite athletes capable of adapting their exertion. He explained: "They’re more medically diverse, maybe older or very young. They may have cardiovascular disease, kidney or metabolic disease.
They may be taking medications that affect heat tolerance and they may be unacclimatised visitors. " He further elaborated on the prolonged exposure fans face: "They may also be exposed for much longer than the match itself, walking to the stadium, queuing in direct sun, attending fan zones, sitting in exposed seats and travelling home on crowded transport. "People who have got medical comorbidities, such as heart disease, will go into that situation.