Ticket pricing, adverse weather, pitches, travel problems - there is much to be worked on before next summer's international tournament

They’re under pressure to grow, but more travel means more emissions that add to rising global temperatures. The NCAA is also weighing expanding March Madness.

The FIFA Club World Cup exposed some significant issues that could hamper the 2026 World Cup, with hot weather being among the top concerns.

FIFA announced Tuesday details of a ticket lottery for the upcoming 2026 World Cup being held in North America, which includes matches being held in the Bay Area.

ESPN also noted that FIFPRO executives suggested canceling FIFA Club World Cup matches in Philadelphia due to the heat, as temperatures went beyond their threshold of 82.4 degrees on the WetBulb Globe Temperature gauge. According to WeatherSpark, the average temperature in Philadelphia for late June is around 87 degrees.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first edition hosted by three different nations—Mexico, the United States, and Canada. One significant change for this expanded tournament will be the lighter workload for national teams. Teams will now have more time to rest between games.

Houston is one of the 2026 FIFA World Cup host cities and is about to get a big boost from the federal government.

After heat concerns dominated the U.S.-based Club World Cup, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said covered stadiums will be used at the 2026 World Cup.