France has recorded around 1,000 more deaths than expected since a record-breaking heatwave swept across the country, placing hospitals and emergency services under intense pressure as temperatures climbed above 40 degrees Celsius in several regions.

Public Health France said on Sunday that preliminary figures showed a sharp rise in fatalities since June 24, when the extreme heat began affecting much of the country.

“Since June 24, approximately 1,000 additional deaths have been observed compared to the deaths recorded in previous months,” the agency said, noting that the figures remain provisional and could be revised.

Authorities said the hardest-hit areas were those placed under the highest red-level heat alert, including Île-de-France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Brittany, Centre-Val de Loire, Normandy and Pays de la Loire. Around 85 percent of the reported deaths involved people aged 65 and older, highlighting the particular danger extreme temperatures pose to elderly residents.

The heatwave has stretched healthcare services, with hospitals and emergency responders dealing with a surge in callouts throughout the week. More than 30 French departments remained under red heat alerts for several days as temperatures continued to climb.

France also recorded its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with the nationwide average temperature reaching 30 degrees Celsius over a 24-hour period.

In Paris, officials introduced emergency measures to reduce pressure on public services. Authorities banned the public consumption of alcohol over the weekend and postponed the city’s annual Pride March because of the dangerous weather conditions.

Major tourist attractions, including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum, also reduced operating hours as officials sought to protect visitors and staff from the extreme heat.

Thousands of residents sought relief by gathering in parks and along canals across the capital. Officials, however, warned against swimming in unsupervised areas after a man drowned in the Canal Saint-Martin on Friday night.

Paris Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire urged residents to follow safety advice.

“We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: swimming outside the times when supervised swimming is permitted, and outside the supervised areas, is dangerous,” he wrote on social media platform X.

The heatwave also claimed the life of 21-year-old Ligue 2 footballer Kenzo Kies, who reportedly drowned in the Rhône River.

His club, Guingamp, expressed its sorrow in a statement, extending its condolences to his family and loved ones.

Weather forecasts indicate temperatures have begun to ease in some parts of France, but health officials continue to urge vulnerable people to remain indoors during the hottest parts of the day, stay hydrated and check regularly on elderly relatives and neighbours as the country recovers from one of its most severe heatwaves in recent history.

Belgium booked their place in the FIFA World Cup round of 32 with an emphatic 5-1 victory over New Zealand on Friday, while Iran were left anxiously waiting to learn whether they would also progress after finishing their group campaign with a 1-1 draw against Egypt.

The convincing win in Vancouver secured Belgium top spot in Group G after a slow start to the tournament. The Red Devils had opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Egypt before playing out a goalless stalemate with Iran, leaving qualification in the balance heading into the final round of group matches.

Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard led Belgium’s charge with two goals. He opened the scoring in the 28th minute, reacting quickest after a corner to give his side the breakthrough. The winger struck again early in the second half with a well-taken volley to double Belgium’s advantage.

Captain Kevin De Bruyne extended the lead with a powerful left-footed effort from outside the penalty area before Romelu Lukaku headed home Belgium’s fourth goal. Alexis Saelemaekers completed the scoring late in the match as Belgium sealed one of the tournament’s most dominant victories.

The result sent Belgium into the knockout rounds as Group G winners. They are scheduled to face one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams from Groups A, E, H, I or J in Seattle next week.

Egypt also secured qualification after finishing second in the group and will face Australia in Dallas in the round of 32.

Iran, however, must now wait for the remaining group-stage matches in Groups J, K and L to determine whether their record will be enough to earn one of the places reserved for the best third-placed teams. Their campaign ended with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Egypt, leaving qualification dependent on results elsewhere.

New Zealand’s hopes ended with the heavy defeat to Belgium. The All Whites finished the group stage with just one point and exited the competition without recording a victory.

Elsewhere, Spain advanced as Group H winners after defeating Uruguay 1-0 in Guadalajara. Álex Baena scored the only goal of the match, ensuring Spain avoided a potential meeting with Argentina in the next round. Spain will now face the runners-up from Group J, with either Austria or Algeria expected to provide the opposition in Los Angeles.

France also maintained their perfect record by defeating Norway 4-1 to finish top of Group I. The victory ensured France progressed with maximum points, while Norway and Senegal also advanced from the group.

France are set to meet Sweden in the round of 32 at MetLife Stadium, while Norway will take on Ivory Coast as the knockout stage begins to take shape. The remaining fixtures over the weekend will determine the final qualification places and complete the round of 32 lineup.

The United States has eased travel restrictions on Iran’s World Cup team, allowing the squad to enter the country two days before its next tournament match, a move that officials say follows a review of security arrangements and travel procedures.

The decision was announced by the US Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday and comes as Iran prepares for its final group-stage fixture against Egypt in Seattle on Friday. Despite the adjustment, Iranian players and staff will still be required to leave the United States after the match.

Iran’s Football Federation confirmed that the team would depart its base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, on Wednesday and travel to Seattle, where it is scheduled to train at the University of Washington on Thursday.

Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, said the easing of restrictions had been anticipated from the outset.

“This was planned on our end,” Giuliani told The Associated Press. He explained that officials intended to evaluate the team’s first two cross-border movements before deciding whether additional travel flexibility could be granted.

The change follows complaints from Iranian officials and players about the travel arrangements imposed since the start of the tournament. Iran had originally requested that its group-stage matches be moved to Mexico, citing difficulties linked to the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. While that request was not approved, FIFA allowed the team to establish its base camp in Tijuana rather than Tucson, Arizona.

For Iran’s first two matches near Los Angeles, players were only permitted to travel into the United States the day before kick-off. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei argued that the arrangement placed his team at a disadvantage, particularly ahead of Sunday’s goalless draw with Belgium.

“Right now we need recovery more than anything,” Ghalenoei said after the match, noting that the conditions had been challenging for the squad.

Team captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh also called for equal treatment, saying Iran was seeking the same procedures available to other participating nations.

The Iranian team has reported difficulties crossing the border between Mexico and the United States. Captain Mehdi Taremi said a normally short flight between Tijuana and Los Angeles took several hours ahead of the team’s opening match against New Zealand.

Tensions also emerged after US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin alleged that an individual with ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard had attempted to enter the United States with the delegation. Iran’s Football Federation strongly denied the claim, describing it as false.

While Iranian players have largely avoided commenting directly on the conflict in the Middle East, they have made symbolic gestures during the tournament, including wearing pins commemorating victims of a missile strike that occurred earlier this year.

It remains unclear whether Egypt, Iran’s upcoming opponent, will receive similar travel accommodations ahead of Friday’s match in Seattle.