World Cup 2018: Hot weather in store for several matches this week

By Renee Duff, AccuWeather meteorologist

By Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

June 25, 2018, 7:59:52 AM EDT

• Intense heat is expected for several of the matches through Thursday.
• Rain and thunderstorms are not expected to affect any matches through midweek.
• The large distance between venues means that temperatures and weather conditions can vary greatly between matches.

While mainly dry weather is expected across Russia as group play concludes at the 2018 FIFA World Cup this week, intense heat will persist for some of the matches.

Four matches are set for Tuesday in Sochi, Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Rostov-On-Don, and all these matches are forecast to be rain-free.

Denmark's Yussuf Yurary Poulsen, left, closes down Australia's Aziz Behich during the group C match between Denmark and Australia at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Samara Arena in Samara, Russia, Thursday, June 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Temperatures will soar to 34 C (94 F) ahead of the match between Iceland and Croatia in Rostov-On-Don before cooling to around 27 C (80 F) by the start of the match.

A kick-off temperature of 27 C (80 F) is forecast for the match between Australia and Peru in Sochi. The combination of warmth and high humidity will make it feel even warmer than actual temperatures.

The unseasonable warmth may put a strain on players and spectators in Sochi and Rostov-On-Don, but people heading to matches in Moscow and St. Petersburg will find more comfortable temperatures around 24 C (76 F) and 21 C (70 F), respectively along with lower humidity.

RELATED: 
Russia Weather Center 
Physicists say 2018's World Cup ball may fly shorter distances than 2014 design 
Coaches explain ideal weather conditions for a World Cup soccer match

Warmth will continue to be the big story for Wednesday's matches set to take place in Kazan, Ekaterinburg and Nizhny Novgorod.

The hottest match of the day will be between Germany and Korea Republic in Kazan. A kick-off temperature of 29 C (84 F) is forecast and high humidity and sunshine will make it feel even hotter.

Dry and comfortable weather is expected for the match between Serbia and Brazil in Moscow.

Players of France and Peru line up before for the start of the group C match between France and Peru at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Yekaterinburg Arena in Yekaterinburg, Russia, Thursday, June 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

The group phase will come to an end on Thursday with matches in Volgograd, Samara, Saransk, and Kaliningrad.

The final day of the group phase may bring the hottest match of the tournament so far as temperatures soar in Volgograd.

A kick-off temperature of 33-34 C (92-94 F) is expected along with abundant sunshine.

The other matches will feature dry weather with more seasonable warmth.

The knockout phase is set to begin on Saturday, June 30.