▲ A view of BBVA Stadium in Nuevo León, Mexico
The Monterrey Stadium in Mexico, where the South Korean national football team is set to play its final Group A match against South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has been predicted to be the second-hottest venue among the 16 stadiums hosting the tournament.
According to a report by the U.S. sports media outlet The Athletic on June 10, the average temperature at Monterrey Stadium—where South Korea will face South Africa on June 25 at 10:00 a.m. KST (June 24, 7:00 p.m. local time)—is expected to be 31.1°C (88°F). This ranks second highest among the 16 stadiums, following Dallas Stadium in the U.S. (32.2°C (90°F)).
The predicted low temperature for Monterrey Stadium is 21.9°C (71°F), with a high of 41.4°C (107°F).
A weather expert from The Athletic calculated the temperature data by first analyzing a one-week period centered around the match dates of the North and Central American World Cup.
The predictions were made by analyzing 10 years of temperature data for each of the 16 stadiums, focusing on a time frame spanning one hour before and after the scheduled kickoff times.
For example, if a quarterfinal match is held at Kansas City Stadium in Missouri, U.S., on July 11 at 8:00 p.m. Central Time, the expected temperature for the tournament was calculated based on temperature data from July 8 to 14 between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. over the past decade.
Monterrey Stadium will host four matches in total, including the South Korea vs. South Africa game, consisting of three group stage matches and one Round of 32 knockout match. The kickoff times are scheduled for 7:00 p.m. for two matches, 8:00 p.m. for one, and 10:00 p.m. for another, based on local time.
Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico, where South Korea will face the Czech Republic and Mexico in succession, has an average temperature of 26.8°C (80°F), a low of 17.1°C (63°F), and a high of 37.7°C (100°F), ranking 9th in average temperature and not considered excessively hot.
South Korea is scheduled to play against the Czech Republic on June 12 at 11:00 a.m. and against Mexico on June 19 at 10:00 a.m. KST.
In local time, these matches are scheduled for June 11 at 8:00 p.m. and June 18 at 7:00 p.m., respectively.
Guadalajara Stadium will host four group stage matches.
According to The Athletic's rankings, the most comfortable venue is BC Place in Vancouver, Canada, which will host a total of seven matches—five group stage games and one match each for the Round of 32 and Round of 16. It is expected to have an average temperature of 18.9°C (66°F).
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.