England’s World Cup squad will be contending with high humidity and a peculiar weather phenomenon called ‘corn sweat’ at their training base in the US. The conditions are expected to intensify as they progress further in the tournament.
Located in Kansas City, their training facility experiences average temperatures ranging from 30-32°C (87°F–90°F). The ‘corn sweat’ effect results from corn plants releasing significant amounts of water vapor into the atmosphere during summer days in the region.
This process, known as evapotranspiration, can amplify the feeling of heat waves, elevating dew points into the 70s and creating hazardous outdoor conditions during July. Consequently, England’s training regimen is tailored to acclimate them to the extreme weather they may encounter during the tournament.
Corn plants mimic human sweat by drawing water from the soil and expelling it through pores in their leaves to regulate temperature. The decision to choose Kansas City as the training location was made by England manager Thomas Tuchel to minimize travel time and prepare for potential matches in Mexico City during the later stages of the competition.
Should England advance from their group, they are projected to face Mexico in Mexico City on July 6, with a 1 am kick-off time in the UK. The renowned Azteca stadium in Mexico City, situated at high altitude, is expected to provide the most challenging conditions for the team if they progress to that stage, pending completion of renovation work on the venue.
In Kansas City, ‘corn sweat’ can escalate humidity levels by 30 to 40 percent on hot days, transforming typical summer days into what locals refer to as “three-shirt days,” hindering the body’s ability to cool down through sweat evaporation.
The tournament’s outcome is likely to be influenced by the weather conditions, including heat, thunderstorms, and air quality issues stemming from wildfires. FIFA has mandated three-minute cooling breaks during each half of every match to mitigate the impact of extreme temperatures.
During the previous FIFA Club World Cup, heat and thunderstorms disrupted several matches, leading to delays. Enzo Maresca, former Chelsea manager, expressed concerns about conducting competitions in the US due to the challenging weather conditions.
In regions of the southern United States and Mexico, daytime temperatures often reach the low to mid-30s°C (mid-90s°F) and can soar towards 40°C (104°F) during heatwaves. Experts indicate that in cities like Miami, the perceived temperature can be significantly higher than the actual air temperature due to humidity levels.
The final match of this year’s World Cup in New York is scheduled for July 19 at 15:00 ET (20:00 BST), where a heatwave could raise temperatures into the mid-30s°C (mid 90°F). Thunderstorms are prevalent during summers, particularly in cities like Miami, Houston, and Atlanta, triggering frequent afternoon and evening storms.
Safety protocols dictate that in case of lightning within 10 miles of a stadium, play must be suspended until 30 minutes after the last lightning strike. The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) is utilized to assess heat stress on athletes, with a threshold of 28°C (82°F) indicating significant concerns for elite performers.
A 2025 study revealed that most host cities could surpass the 28°C threshold, with some cities like Miami, Houston, and Dallas potentially reaching extreme heat stress levels above 32°C (90°F). To mitigate the impact, venues like Miami have scheduled evening kick-offs for matches, including the Scotland-Brazil game on June 24.
