Fifa's Selection Process and Climate Impact on World Cup Cities
WHO:
Bloomberg - FIFA is the organization responsible for the World Cup.
CNN - Dr. Fabian Arous is a sports medicine physician at Children’s Health Andrews Institute for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.
CNN - Dr. Douglas Casa is a board of trustees distinguished professor at the University of Connecticut and CEO of the Korey Stringer Institute.
CNN - Dr. Kathleen Faccio is an emergency medicine physician at Jefferson Abington Hospital.
CNN - Dr. Hany Atallah is the chief medical officer at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
CNN - Dr. Jose Llach is the regional medical director of emergency care centers with Baptist Health South Florida.
CNN - Lori Tremmel Freeman is the CEO of the National Association of County and City Health Officials.
CNN - Dr. Jonathan Bar is an emergency physician and director of emergency preparedness at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia.
CNN - Evan Young is a fan attending a WatchFest event in Decatur, Georgia.
WHAT:
CNN - Dr. Douglas Casa stated, “I would put all my red flags up for the city of Miami as my biggest place of worry,” regarding heat-related risks during the World Cup.
CNN - Dr. Kathleen Faccio reported a slight increase in heat-related complaints among fans treated at medical facilities in Philadelphia during a match, with temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
CNN - Dr. Hany Atallah confirmed that Jackson Health System collaborated with FIFA to set up medical areas for spectators at Miami Stadium.
CNN - Dr. Jose Llach noted that the heat index in Miami rose above 100 degrees Fahrenheit during a match, predicting that heat risks would increase as the tournament progresses.
CNN - Lori Tremmel Freeman indicated that Houston is expecting heat indices approaching 105 degrees Fahrenheit during the tournament.
The New York Times - MetLife Stadium in New Jersey has faced criticism for being chosen as the venue for the upcoming World Cup final, with concerns about transport and location.
The New York Times - Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City holds the Guinness World Record for the loudest stadium, reaching 142.2 decibels during a 2014 NFL game.
Bloomberg - FIFA is projected to generate $10.9 billion from the World Cup, a 56% increase from the last tournament.
CNN - Miami is hosting seven World Cup matches, while Kansas City and Philadelphia are hosting six each.
CNN - The heat index in Miami rose above 100 degrees Fahrenheit during a match between Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
CNN - There was a slight increase in heat-related complaints among fans treated at medical facilities in Philadelphia during a match.
CNN - Fans are permitted to bring one “soft, plastic, 20 ounces (590ml), factory sealed disposable water bottle” into any FIFA World Cup 2026 match.
WHERE:
Bloomberg - The World Cup is being held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
CNN - Host cities include Miami, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Houston, and Dallas.
CNN - Medical facilities are set up at Miami Stadium and in Philadelphia for spectators needing care.
WHEN:
CNN - The last men’s FIFA World Cup was held in Qatar in 2022.
CNN - The World Cup matches are taking place during the summer.
WHY:
CNN - Experts warn that extreme heat poses risks to fans and workers at outdoor venues.
CNN - The last World Cup raised concerns about migrant laborers working in life-threatening heat and humidity.
HOW:
CNN - Medical teams are monitoring heat-related illnesses and providing care at stadiums.
CNN - Fans are advised to stay hydrated and use cooling stations at events.
CNN - FIFA has changed its policy to allow only specific types of water bottles into stadiums for safety and security reasons.
(UPDATED June 19, 2026 06:43 UTC)
Dr. Douglas Casa has raised significant concerns about heat-related risks in Miami, calling it his biggest worry as the World Cup approaches. Meanwhile, Dr. Kathleen Faccio reported an uptick in heat-related complaints among fans in Philadelphia, where temperatures have soared above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and Dr. Hany Atallah confirmed that Jackson Health System is working with FIFA to establish medical areas for spectators at Miami Stadium. Additionally, Lori Tremmel Freeman warned that Houston could see heat indices nearing 105 degrees Fahrenheit during the tournament, while MetLife Stadium in New Jersey faces criticism for its selection as the venue for the World Cup final due to transport and location issues.
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(UPDATED June 18, 2026 21:43 UTC)
FIFA is set to generate an impressive $10.9 billion from the upcoming World Cup, marking a 56% increase from the last tournament, which was held in Qatar in 2022. The event will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with Miami, Kansas City, and Philadelphia among the host cities, and medical facilities will be on standby to assist fans, especially given the extreme heat risks. To ensure safety, fans are allowed to bring one factory-sealed, soft plastic water bottle into matches, and they are encouraged to stay hydrated while utilizing cooling stations at the venues.