Soccer-Spain feels the heat, with Madrid World Cup fan zone cancelled


Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group H - Spain v Cape Verde - Fans gather in Madrid - Plaza de Colon, Madrid, Spain - June 15, 2026 Spain fans react as they watch the match REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

ATLANTA, ⁠June 20 (Reuters) - The World Cup has brought plenty ⁠of concern over weather conditions during games in ‌the United States, Mexico and Canada, but while Spain will play Saudi Arabia in an air-conditioned stadium, a fan zone in Madrid has ​been cancelled due to the high ⁠temperatures forecast.

The Spanish football ⁠federation (RFEF) turned Plaza de Colon in the capital city ⁠into ‌a large meeting point for fans, called Plaza Seleccion, where supporters could watch Spain's World ⁠Cup matches on large screens.

Huge crowds turned out ​to watch ‌Spain's disappointing scoreless draw with Cape Verde on Monday ⁠but Sunday's ​event for the next Group H match will not go ahead, with temperatures of up to 39 degrees Celsius (102.2 ⁠degrees Fahrenheit) expected.

"For reasons of safety ​and protection of public health, it has been decided to cancel all the activities planned in the Colon Fan Zone, ⁠including the broadcast of the match," the RFEF said in a statement on Saturday.

"Fans are advised to watch the match from equipped, air-conditioned areas, avoid prolonged exposure ​to the heat, and follow all ⁠instructions from emergency and civil protection services."

Spanish fans attending ​the game in Atlanta will have ‌no such worries, with the ​stadium's roof closed and air conditioning keeping temperatures down.

(Reporting by Trevor Stynes, editing by Ed Osmond)

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