As England play Croatia in their opening World Cup match, Dallas (and the stadium in Arlington just to the west) is under a heat advisory from the US National Weather Service (NWS). We knew it would be a hot host city, but this is Dallas hot.
“Dallas heat advisory will be in effect for all of North and Central Texas Thursday afternoon. Heat index values will be between 105-110 degrees (Fahrenheit), leading to dangerous heat if precautions are not taken. Stay hydrated, wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing, and limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening hours.” NWS
The match kicks off at 9pm UK time which is 3pm local time. The stadium is air conditioned and has a roof but as fans make their way to the match and queue to get in it will be very hot. Temperatures have been up in the 80s, with a forecast high of 98F today (36C). This hot and humid weather should ease slightly on Thursday as thunderstorms break out.
“TROPICAL STORM ARTHUR DEVELOPS NEAR THE MIDDLE TEXAS COAST... ...LIFE-THREATENING FLOODING EXPECTED ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES.”
Disruption in Houston already this week
"The inaugural Houston match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup came amid a flood watch. The stadium’s retractable roof was closed for Germany’s 7-1 win against Curaçao, but many fans were drenched on the way in." Houston Public Media
Before being named Tropical Storm Arthur, the system had already dumped plenty of rain on southern/SE Texas. Houston’s FIFA Fan Festival, a free event where visiting football fans can watch World Cup matches, was closed on Monday with reduced operating hours on Tuesday 16th, because of further heavy rain. As the ground becomes saturated, the bayous fill. These are slow-moving, shallow waterways that acts as a natural drainage network for the city.
RAINFALL: Tropical Storm Arthur is expected to produce rainfall totals of 5 to 10 “, with isolated higher totals near 20 “, through early Friday from the Mid and Upper Texas coast east-northeast into southern and central portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, along with western portions of Georgia and the Florida Panhandle. This could generate dangerous to life-threatening flash flooding. NHC (National Hurricane Centre).
Portugal play DR Congo tonight at 6pm in Houston, TX 12 noon local time so fans should expect a drenching as they queue outside to get into the venue. It will feel very warm and humid. There is the potential for the first tropical storm of the season, with the risk of flash flooding extending to Atlanta midweek.
The Tropical Storm warning is away from Texas but the heavy rain is likely to reach inland to Georgia, and Atlanta, where there is a Flood wWtch and risk of thunderstorms.
Atlanta, GA
Czech Republic play South Africa on Thursday 18th at Atlanta, GA 5pm, again under a roof. This will protect the game and television coverage but there could be difficulties for spectators travelling to the game, even power outages.
Tropical Storm Arthur won’t last for long, soon decaying to a Tropical Depression as it skirts eastwards along the Gulf coast and then moves inland over SE Texas and Louisiana. It will bring heavy rainfall though and the risk of flash flooding. The Mercedes Benz stadium in Atlanta might be glad of its roof.
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