By Robert Haugh
A few days ago, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the 2026 Men’s World Cup will schedule daytime matches in stadiums with roofs. The reason? Rising concerns about extreme heat and weather delays.
But Levi’s Stadium, set to host World Cup games in Santa Clara, has no roof. And no real protection from the sun.
“We have stadiums with roofs and we will definitely use these stadiums during the day next year,” Infantino said this week. He was responding to heat and lightning disruptions that plagued this year’s Club World Cup.
Levi’s can’t be one of those stadiums. It’s open-air. And it’s already known for heat problems during NFL games. Entire sections sit empty on hot Sundays as fans flee the sun.
Santa Clara is one of 14 World Cup host cities expected to exceed safe heat thresholds next summer, according to climate experts at Brunel University. Only two cities—Seattle and Vancouver—are projected to avoid dangerous heat stress.
Of the 104 matches scheduled in 2026, only 31 will be played in stadiums with roofs. That’s less than a third.
Adding more domed venues is unlikely. Most roofed U.S. stadiums aren’t built to FIFA standards. FIFA requires natural grass, which is harder to maintain indoors. And switching host cities this late would be a logistical nightmare.
Infantino didn’t offer details on heat protocols for open-air sites. He mentioned cooling breaks—but said only, “we will see what we can do.”
That’s not much reassurance for players or fans at Levi’s.
Levi’s Stadium has offered limited shade since it opened in 2014. No significant upgrades have been announced. And the World Cup is now just 11 months away.
Local officials and FIFA have yet to release a detailed heat plan. In the meantime, Santa Clara’s open-air stadium remains on the schedule—and directly in the sun.
As with everything, follow the money. Let’s face it: domed stadiums just make sense, especially when you think about all the money on the line. With scorching summers in the U.S., it’s not just about keeping players and fans safe—it’s also about making sure matches actually happen when global audiences can watch. Nobody wants to tune in at 3 a.m. just because the game can’t be played during the day, right? Broadcasters and advertisers aren’t going to pour money into events that air when most of the world’s asleep. On top of that, domes mean no weather surprises messing up the schedule, which is a huge deal when billions are at stake. So, moving games indoors isn’t just a safety thing—it’s a smart business move for everyone involved. Our city should at least be prepared for that possibility and ramifications.
How does Suds and his fellow “49er 5” feel about this?
Have not heard from his Bestie lately….you know, the Convicted Felon Tony Becker. Curious, since no jail time, where is he now living? Is he doing OK?