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Copa America heat-induced incidents show 2026 World Cup risks

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KANSAS CITY, Missouri -- Assistant referee Humberto Panjoj made it to stoppage of the first half in a Copa America match between Canada and Peru before he fainted. As Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau rushed to see what was wrong, it highlighted an oft overlooked aspect of playing an international soccer tournament in the U.S. during the summer months.

The weather is oppressively hot and humid, and hardly the ideal conditions for such a competition.

The high temperature that day in Kansas City was 93 degrees Fahrenheit, but with a humidity level of 53%, it felt like 103 degrees.