Reports and images from Norway’s training camp in the United States have shown players working in intense summer conditions as they prepare for their first World Cup appearance since 1998. Some sessions have focused heavily on heat acclimatization, with players visibly affected by the temperatures and humidity.
However, the broader claim that “Europeans will suffer while Latin Americans, Africans and Asians won’t” is probably too simplistic.
Many European national teams are taking the heat threat seriously. England manager Thomas Tuchel has openly described heat and humidity as significant challenges and has organized acclimatization camps in Florida to prepare players for tournament conditions.
Several studies and climate projections for the 2026 World Cup suggest that a number of matches could be played in conditions considered “performance-impairing heat” — temperatures above approximately 28°C (82°F), which can reduce running intensity and physical output among elite footballers.
What may matter more than nationality is adaptation:
- Players raised in hotter climates may have a physiological advantage.
- Teams accustomed to playing in African, Middle Eastern, Asian, or Latin American conditions may adapt faster.
- However, many African, Asian and Latin American internationals spend most of their professional careers in Europe and face the same adjustment challenges as European-born players.
- Tactical style could also be decisive. Teams that rely on relentless pressing may find the conditions more demanding than teams that prioritize possession and energy conservation.
The 2026 World Cup is expected to be one of the most climate-challenging tournaments in modern football history because of the vast geography of the United States, Mexico and Canada, with conditions ranging from extreme heat and humidity in some venues to cooler climates in others.
A more balanced conclusion may be:
Heat will not automatically favor Africa, Asia or Latin America over Europe. But teams that adapt quickest, manage recovery best, rotate intelligently and control matches efficiently may gain a significant competitive advantage regardless of continent. The battle against the weather could become almost as important as the battle against the opponent.