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Over the decades, the FIFA World Cup has witnessed teams enduring some truly punishing weather conditions on the pitch.

In the lead-up to the France vs Paraguay game at the 2026 World Cup, attention was firmly on the record-breaking heatwave that both teams were expected to face.

While this was unprecedented for the North American edition of the tournament, several teams in the past have had to suffer through equally — if not more — extreme heat during World Cup matches.

The France vs Paraguay clash saw temperatures soar beyond 100 degrees Fahrenheit, prompting many to ask if it was the hottest match in World Cup history.

The answer is no — France vs Paraguay was not the hottest World Cup game ever played.

Surprisingly, two teams endured even harsher conditions during the 1994 tournament, which was also hosted by the United States.

The weather at the 2026 World Cup has been wildly inconsistent, ranging from near-Death Valley heatwaves to matches disrupted by rain and thunderstorms.

Didier Deschamps’ French side have battled bravely through both extremes, but the 1994 USA World Cup saw players compete in conditions that bordered on the unthinkable.

More than 30 years ago, Mexico and the Republic of Ireland faced off in the scorching American summer, with Mexico prevailing 2-1 in temperatures that exceeded 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

Medical experts generally advise even the fittest athletes to avoid outdoor activity when the temperature climbs above 90–100 degrees Fahrenheit.

In such heat, the recommendation for professionals is to move indoors whenever possible, as prolonged exposure can lead to serious health risks.

For British readers, that Mexico vs Ireland match was played in approximately 43°C heat, with reports stating that more than 100 spectators fainted due to the oppressive temperature.

On the field, Ireland international Jason McAteer later revealed that his team was "melting" while playing, noting that teammates Steve Staunton and Tommy Coyne were among those worst affected.

Back then, sports science and hydration protocols were minimal or non-existent, leaving the Irish squad poorly prepared to adapt to such conditions.

McAteer recalled that their only methods of coping with the American heat involved cold flannels, pouring water over their heads, and taking Dioralyte salt supplements.

Incredibly, FIFA had initially banned players from drinking bottled water during matches at the 1994 tournament — a decision that drew widespread criticism.

Following public backlash, the governing body reversed its stance, allowing water balloons to be tossed onto the pitch so players could rehydrate.

McAteer recalled: “Jack [Charlton] was saying before the Mexico game that someone could die without getting a drink of water, but at first no one listened to him. It seems prehistoric now, but it really wasn’t that long ago. It was absurd — we just couldn’t handle it.”

Jack Charlton, the Republic of Ireland manager at the time, was proven right. After the match, Tommy Coyne was selected for a drug test but was so dehydrated that he had to drink an excessive amount of water just to produce a sample.

Having consumed such a large volume of fluids, Coyne later experienced severe pressure-related issues during a flight, forcing the pilot to lower altitude. “He basically flooded his body,” McAteer explained. “When we flew back to New York, he took a really bad turn — it was a genuine health scare for him.”

While the choice of the United States as host for the 2026 World Cup may have been driven by commercial factors, one thing is certain — modern hydration breaks have become a lifesaver for today’s players.