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New York City officials have issued an urgent weather warning as soaring temperatures are set to hit during the 2026 World Cup.
Supporters travelling to MetLife Stadium this week are being urged to plan ahead and take precautions amid the dangerous heat.
New York given extreme weather warning ahead of France vs Sweden
New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani has warned local residents and World Cup supporters to prepare for “extremely dangerous” heat, with temperatures expected to climb above 100°F (38°C) from Wednesday (1st July) through Saturday (4th July).
The warning comes as tens of thousands of football fans remain in the city during the knockout stages of the tournament, with New York New Jersey Stadium hosting France's Round of 32 clash against Sweden before staging a Round of 16 tie involving Brazil later in the week.
Posting on social media, Mamdani urged people to take the forecast seriously.
“Wednesday through at least Saturday, heat indices will surpass 100 degrees, potentially reaching 109 on Friday,” he wrote.
“These are extremely dangerous conditions, and New Yorkers must plan now to stay safe and help their neighbours do the same.”
The mayor encouraged anyone without air conditioning to make use of family, friends or one of the city's free public cooling centres, while also asking residents to check on vulnerable neighbours, including elderly people, outdoor workers and those with underlying health conditions.
Although France's meeting with Sweden is scheduled before the hottest temperatures are expected to arrive, many supporters will remain in New York between matches, meaning fan festivals, sightseeing and travel around the city could all be affected by the prolonged heatwave.
FGG says: World Cup fans urged to prepare for New York heatwave
Fortunately, the most extreme temperatures are not currently forecast to coincide directly with a match at New York New Jersey Stadium, but supporters spending several days in the city should still heed the mayor's advice.
Staying hydrated, seeking shade and making use of air-conditioned venues could prove just as important as planning transport to and from the stadium during one of the hottest spells of the summer.