England's World Cup stars will face intense humidity and a freak weather phenomenon known as 'corn sweat' at their US headquarters in Kansas City. The conditions are expected to worsen as the tournament progresses.
What Is Corn Sweat?
Corn sweat refers to the intense humidity caused by corn plants releasing massive amounts of water vapour into the air during summer days. This process, known as evapotranspiration, can make heat waves feel significantly hotter, pushing dew points into the 70s and making outdoor work dangerous in July.
In Kansas City, corn sweat can raise humidity levels by 30 to 40 percent on a hot day. According to locals, this turns average Kansas summer days into 'three-shirt days,' making it difficult for human sweat to evaporate and cool the body.
Training and Tournament Preparations
England boss Thomas Tuchel chose the location in the central US state to reduce travel time and prepare for a potential trip to Mexico City in the later rounds. If England win their group, they are seeded to play against Mexico on July 6 at the Azteca stadium, which sits at altitude and promises tough conditions. Authorities in Mexico admit that renovation work on the venue is struggling to meet deadlines, with an evening kick off planned to reduce heat impact.
Extreme Weather Across Host Cities
Heat, thunderstorms, and poor air quality from wildfires mean weather will be a key factor in the tournament. Fifa has introduced mandatory three-minute cooling breaks in each half of every match. During last year's FIFA Club World Cup, heat and thunderstorms disrupted six matches, including a two-hour delay during Chelsea versus Benfica. This prompted then-Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca to say the US is 'probably not the right place to do the competition.'
In parts of the southern US and Mexico, average daytime highs are typically in the low to mid-30s°C (mid-90s°F) and can rise toward 40°C (104°F) during hotter spells. A typical summer air temperature of 32°C (90°F) in Miami would regularly feel like 43°C (109°F). In New York, host of the World Cup final on July 19, a typical heatwave could result in air temperatures in the mid-30s°C (mid-90s°F).
Lightning and Heat Stress
Summer thunderstorms are widespread, particularly in cities such as Miami, Houston, and Atlanta. If lightning is detected within 10 miles of a stadium, play is suspended until 30 minutes after the last strike. The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) assesses physical heat stress on the body. A WBGT of around 28°C (82°F) is considered a threshold for significant concern. A 2025 study in the International Journal of Biometeorology concluded that 14 of the 16 host cities could exceed this threshold. Six host cities—Miami, Houston, Dallas, Monterrey, Kansas City, and Atlanta—could see WBGT reach at least 32°C (90°F), considered extreme heat stress. For this reason, venues like Miami are scheduling evening kick offs, including Scotland versus Brazil on June 24.
