One thing FIFA cannot be blamed for is rising temperatures and extreme heat is likely to affect athletes, fans, workers and officials during the games. Some of the sites – the Texas cities of Dallas and Houston, for example, though Kansas City and Atlanta are not immune – could see “feels like” temperatures above 32 degrees Celsius (90F). There will be safety measures such as hydration breaks for players and FIFA has lifted a planned ban on fans bringing refillable water bottles into stadiums. including
some with limited shade from the sun. Final bow for Messi, Ronaldo Ultimately when it comes to the World Cup, the football eventually takes over and there are many potential storylines ahead. Does Lionel Messi have one last great act at the World Cup in what is surely his final bow on this stage? Or will his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo land the one major trophy that has eluded him, at age 41? Record five-time winner Brazil are out for their first title in more
than 20 years and have turned to iconic Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti to try to end their drought. England have put their faith in German manager Thomas Tuchel as they try to end 60 years of hurt. Read moreWorld Cup 2026: France, Spain, Argentina. Who are the favourites? The three host nations will be desperate to impress in front of their home crowds, after a string of disappointing tournaments. Might the US, led by Argentinian manager Mauricio Pochettino, pull off the biggest World Cup upset
of all time come July 19? “If you go into a tournament thinking, ‘Oh yeah, we have no chance of winning it,’ then what’s the point of even going? What’s the point of playing?” US captain Tim Ream told The AP. “He (Pochettino) is not shy about speaking about that when we’re together. ‘Why not us? Why can’t we do it?’” (FRANCE 24 with AP and AFP)
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