Historical data between 2012 and 2021 reveal the potential weather challenges awaiting the upcoming 2026 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup slated for June-July 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) is projected to range between 30°C and 35°C in six host cities (Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Miami and Monterrey) in the afternoon (15:00-18:00 hours). To beat the heat, recommended strategies include allowing adequate time to acclimatise, implementing in-match cooling breaks and planning for effective rehydration. The most effective method to beat the heat is heat acclimatisation/acclimation. For football players, maintaining internal body temperature above 38.5°C for 60 min with training for a total of 10-14 sessions may ensure adequate heat adaptations. In addition, maintaining euhydration during a football match in the heat is essential and it can reduce internal body temperature and improve physiological function compared with playing in a dehydrated state. Although in-play cooling is advocated, there is a scarcity of literature addressing the most efficient cooling methods, with the majority of available evidence not directly applicable to football. Consequently, the aim of this editorial is to provide a brief discussion of evidence, grounded in realistic studies, pertaining…
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