
Blazing heat casts shadow over World Cup 2026 worker protections
As World Cup 2026 unfolds across 16 US host cities, researchers warn thousands of workers face dangerous heat exposure, with risk rising in sunny venues and during heavy labor. FIFA says it has protections (cooling, water access, work-rest schedules, medical staff, real-time weather monitoring) and host-city requirements, but labor advocates doubt enforcement and point to state preemption limiting local heat-safety rules; temporary workers remain especially vulnerable, though some unions have secured protections in places like Kansas City.













