2026 World Cup Key News Central News Agency (Central News Agency, Washington, July 1st, Combined News) Just as the United States is hosting the World Cup and celebrating its 250th anniversary, a heatwave is set to sweep across the East Coast. Forecasts indicate that Washington D.C. will experience temperatures exceeding 38 degrees Celsius for three consecutive days starting tomorrow, potentially breaking 40 degrees Celsius the day after, with the local record of 41 degrees Celsius at risk of being surpassed. According to Agence France-Presse, a "heat dome" phenomenon continues to blanket states in the Midwest and South of the United States, gradually moving eastward. This high-pressure system acts like a lid, trapping warm air close to the ground. Approximately 46 million people are currently under heat advisories. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated in a video message, "We are about to experience the most extreme heatwave this city has seen in over a decade," urging residents to prioritize their safety whether watching the World Cup or celebrating American Independence Day. New York City has designated hundreds of public buildings as cooling centers, extended operating hours for public swimming pools, dispatched volunteers to check on vulnerable residents, and set up "pop-up" cooling stations equipped with misting fans and wet towels. In the Midwestern city of Chicago, as air conditioner usage surges, power company Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) reported that the grid is under "severe strain," urging residents to set their thermostats as high as possible and to use washing machines, dishwashers, and electric vehicle chargers only after 8 p.m. Meanwhile, the FIFA World Cup is also proceeding amidst this sweltering climate. Philadelphia will host a match between Paraguay and France on the 4th, with temperatures expected to reach 39 degrees Celsius. Unlike some World Cup venues equipped with air conditioning, this match will be played in a completely open-air stadi