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France 24
an hour ago
- Climate
- France 24
Dortmund stars hide from sun at Club World Cup 'sauna'
The German side won 4-3 in Cincinnati at the TQL Stadium under a blazing sun, with the team's reserves watching the first half from the dressing room and the second under umbrellas on the bench. "I'm sweating like I've just come out of a sauna," said Kovac, who had already complained about the expected conditions on Friday before the Group F clash with the South Africans. "It was tough going for both teams, but the opposition are used to it. We certainly didn't give our best performance, but that wasn't possible today." Dortmund posted a photo on social media of their substitutes watching the first half on television from within the dressing room. "Our subs watched the first half from inside the locker room to avoid the blazing sun at TQL Stadium — never seen that before, but in this heat, it absolutely makes sense," wrote the German club on social media platform X. Temperatures were at a high of 32 degrees Celsius in Cincinnati on Saturday, for the game which began at 12:00 pm local time. Kovac said on the eve of the game there was no shelter on the bench from the sun, and warned media to bring sunscreen, hats and water. Other teams have also complained about the summer heat in the United States, especially for matches kicking off in the early afternoon. Atletico Madrid's Marcos Llorente said his "toenails" hurt because of the conditions at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for his team's opening clash against Paris Saint-Germain on June 15.
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
Fears for 2026 World Cup as extreme weather threatens game delays, ruining the football and forcing fans to leave early
FEARS are growing over the 2026 World Cup as extreme weather wreaks havoc. Four Club World Cup matches have been hit by delays within the first five days of the tournament being played across the United States. 11 Extreme weather has disrupted the opening week of the Club World Cup Credit: AP 11 There are fears the thunderstorms and heat could be repeated during the 2026 World Cup Credit: Reuters 11 Fans have repeatedly been ushered out of the stands Credit: Getty And with a heatwave including temperatures as high as 41C set to hit next week, further problems are expected - with fans and players alike at risk. Now there is an increasing concern about the impact it could have on next summer's World Cup - hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico. CLUB WORLD CUP CHAOS So far at the Club World Cup, the matches have been delayed due to thunderstorms. Mamelodi Sundowns vs Ulsan HD was the first fixture to be impacted with kick-off delayed by more than an hour. READ MORE FOOTBALL Then the Both Benfica vs Auckland and Mamelodi vs Ulsan were in Orlando. Most read in Football And although no World Cup matches are being staged in the city, there are seven scheduled for Miami - three hours' drive south in Florida. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS That may well include some England games as Miami is in the eastern region for the 2026 event. Similarly, Cincinnati is not on the list of host cities for next summer - but surrounding places such as Kansas City, Atlanta and Toronto are. Club World Cup clash takes over three hours to complete due to poor weather conditions at the TQL Stadium And New Jersey, the Again, like Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, the MetLife Stadium is within the eastern region England are set to be part of - along with nearby Boston and Philadelphia. Crucially, the Due to the time difference, to make sure European fans get to watch their teams play, many of their matches will be scheduled at lunchtime and in the afternoons - the hottest parts of the day. IMPACT ON PLAYERS... Of course, the extreme weather - both heat and storms - is leaving many players and referees at risk of heat stroke, exhaustion, dehydration plus other health issues and injuries. Atletico Madrid star Marcos Llorente said it was "terribly hot" when his side lost 4-0 to PSG in Los Angeles when it was 32C. By next week, players could be forced to take to the field in temperatures 9C hotter. Environmental physiologist and heat stress in sport expert at the University of Roehampton Dr Chris Tyler told the "Such conditions will be commonplace with many of the fixtures scheduled for before 5pm to maximise TV audiences. "Extreme heat could become the tournament's most formidable opponent." 11 Many players pour water on their faces to cool down Credit: Reuters 11 Crazy storms and rain have forced four matches to be delayed Credit: Getty 11 A heatwave with temperatures of 41C is on the way Credit: Reuters 11 Spectators are at risk of falling ill by sitting in direct heat Credit: Getty Fossil Free Football - a campaign group highlighting the impact of the climate crisis on the beautiful game - added: "Particular concern is for the fixtures in the no-shade stadium in Charlotte where a heat index of 38C (Real Madrid v Pachuca) and 41C (Benfica v Bayern) is forecast for the next two matches. "This underlines the dangers facing players and fans at this tournament and in 2026. Fifa have done very little to allay safety concerns." Maresca said: "It's not easy because of the temperature. We're going to try to rotate players." ...AND ON FANS... It is not just those on the pitch at risk, either. Fans being in stadiums when torrential rain falls or the sun is beating down could also find themselves in difficulty. Reports claim spectators at the Club World Cup have been forced to leave the stands during matches due to the heat. They also found long queues and restricted water availability at stadiums - even despite shoddy, low attendances. Sporting events are seemingly seeing play stopped to tend to fans taken ill in the crowd - with many of those due to heat-related incidents. This week at Queen's, ...AND ON BROADCASTERS The TV companies from around the globe have But matches at risk of being delayed could be a nightmare for broadcast executives - and fans trying to watch the action at home. That is because if a match has to be stopped for a lengthy period, it might not finish in time before the next match kicks off due to the frantic schedule. Exact kick-off times are yet to be confirmed but at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, there were at times four matches per day kicking off every three hours at 10am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm UK time. But at the Club World Cup, the reality was laid bare. Club World Cup 2025 Guide SOME of the world's biggest clubs are in action at this summer's Club World Cup in the United States! Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Man City, and Inter Miami are among the 32 teams taking part in the tournament, which runs from June 14 to July 13. The likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Ousmane Dembele, Cole Palmer and Harry Kane are showcasing their skills to packed crowds across the US. INFO Everything you need to know about the Club World Cup LATEST NEWS & FEATURES Club World Cup top scorers The Benfica vs Auckland game was due to finish an hour before Chelsea vs Flamengo kicked off. However, not only did the two matches overlap but the long stoppage meant the full-time whistle ended up blowing AFTER Benfica gaffer Bruno Lage said: "This is the longest game of my career. "A special thanks to our fans, who have been here for five hours supporting the team. "We played as well as we could. The temperature made it very difficult." FIFA'S RESPONSE So, what have Fifa said and done in response? Well, they released a brief statement in which they claimed health is their "top priority" and medical experts have been providing guidance. The world football governing body said: "Fifa's top priority is the health of everyone involved in football, and Fifa's medical experts have been in regular contact with the clubs participating to address heat management and acclimatisation." Fifa confirmed that a drinks break to give players the chance to take on fluids and cool down will take place at 30 minutes and 75 minutes if needed. They added fans will also be permitted to bring an empty clear water bottle up to one litre into stadiums. But while that is a helpful step for fans to be able to drink water a little easier, it is hardly going to make a major difference if fans are sat in unsheltered stands in the relentless driving rain with thunder and lightning or if temperatures reach dangerous levels in excess of 35C or even 40C. 11 PSG players did their best to try and cool down Credit: Reuters 11 Benfica fans supported their team for five hours Credit: Getty 11 Drinks breaks are permitted in each half when temperatures soar Credit: Reuters 11 Players and referees are at risk Credit: Reuters
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First Post
4 days ago
- Climate
- First Post
US heatwave raises alarm for FIFA World Cup 2026 as players, fans suffer during Club World Cup
The FIFA Club World Cup in the US has already offered a clear glimpse of the climate challenges that teams, players and fans may face during the FIFA World Cup 2026. read more It's not just empty seats that are haunting the expanded FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the United States, but also the soaring temperatures. The situation has set alarm bells ringing, especially with the US set to co-host the FIFA World Cup 2026. The loudest voice of complaint so far has been Atletico Madrid footballer Marcos Llorente, who was visibly unhappy with the climate conditions during his team's 4–0 defeat to European champions Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Players, fans suffer in searing heat during FIFA Club World Cup 'Playing in this heat is impossible," Llorente after the match at the Rose Bowl Stadium in California. 'The heat is terrible. My toes hurt, even my toenails — I couldn't stop or start running. It's unbelievable, but since it's the same for everyone… there's no point complaining.' As per the websites that report on weather, the temperatures during the PSG vs Atleti match neared 32°C and it has been almost the same for other games as well. The fans during the match at Rose Bowl had also complained about long queues in the heat, lack of shaded areas in the stadium and water restrictions at entry. More from Football It's no surprise that the FIFA Club World Cup is facing the impact of harsh weather as June is among the summer months in the US. The issue has been compounded by the fact that matches are taking place in open-air stadiums that do not have climate-controlled roofing. These stadiums include Camping World Stadium in Orlando, the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles and Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium. Players & fans at PSG - Atletico were subjected to blazing sunshine as the temperature reached 31C after midday KO in Pasadena. FIFA's decision to schedule 35/63 games earlier than 17:00 local time has raised eyebrows -world players' union Fifpro. [BBC] — Kyama ⚽ (@ElijahKyama_) June 16, 2025 FIFA World Cup 2026 in US could be equally hot Things are not expected to be much different during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The mega event next year will be held across 11 stadiums in the US, two in Canada and three in Mexico. But only five out of those 16 stadiums have roofs, while the remaining are open-air stadiums. The weather next year is expected to be equally harsh across venues. The match timings have also contributed to the misery, with some of the games taking place in the afternoon and multiple early kickoffs on the roster due to the time difference between different geographies. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The world players' union FIFPRO has already asked FIFA to change the scheduling. 'FIFPRO has consistently advocated for comprehensive heat protection measures including mandatory cooling breaks, adjustments to kick-off times to avoid the most intense heat, and the postponement of matches when conditions pose a serious health risk to players,' FIFPRO said. 'With tournaments like the Club World Cup featuring dense match schedules and hot climates in locations such as Orlando and Miami, extreme heat is becoming an increasingly important health and safety issue in professional football. 'FIFPRO will closely monitor the situation in the coming weeks with a view to prioritising player welfare over other considerations.' Currently, one mandatory break per half is allowed to tackle the humid and hot conditions, but it's not proving to be enough. However, FIFA looks unbothered as it maintains that the Club World Cup is held on the lines of the broader International Match Calendar and sufficient protocols are already in place. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Climate
- Business Recorder
Scorching heat sparks welfare fears at Club World Cup
MIAMI: Soaring temperatures and oppressive humidity at the Club World Cup are fuelling concerns among players, coaches, and fans, with calls for additional cooling breaks and adjustments to match schedules. Midday kickoff temperatures in Pasadena at the weekend approached 32 degrees Celsius (89.6 Fahrenheit), forcing players in the Paris St Germain v Atletico Madrid match to dig in early as the midday sun blazed on the Rose Bowl's uncovered stands and pitch. Atletico's Marcos Llorente described the conditions as 'terribly hot,' saying 'my toes were sore, my nails were hurting… it's incredible.' Fans, too, voiced concern. Attendees at the Rose Bowl complained of long queues in harsh heat, limited shaded areas and water restrictions at entry, with some leaving at halftime due to dehydration and fear of fainting. Similar mid‑afternoon kickoff conditions are planned for upcoming matches, stoking safety concerns for supporters and players. Monday's match in Pasadena was not an isolated incident. Miami and Los Angeles are experiencing temperatures north of 30 °C (86 °F), many rising above the 32 °C heat‑stress threshold, triggering warnings from player unions. Tuesday's game between Real Madrid and Al Hilal is scheduled at 1500 local time with temperatures expected to reach 32°C with humidity set to hover around 70%. The world players' union FIFPRO has suggested FIFA should revise scheduling, if needed. Monterrey hold Inter Milan 1-1 at Club World Cup 'FIFPRO has consistently advocated for comprehensive heat protection measures including mandatory cooling breaks, adjustments to kick-off times to avoid the most intense heat, and the postponement of matches when conditions pose a serious health risk to players,' FIFPRO said. 'With tournaments like the Club World Cup featuring dense match schedules and hot climates in locations such as Orlando and Miami, extreme heat is becoming an increasingly important health and safety issue in professional football. 'FIFPRO will closely monitor the situation in the coming weeks with a view to prioritising player welfare over other considerations.' The current rules permit one mandatory break per half. England coach Thomas Tuchel, observing the tournament as part of planning for next year's World Cup in North America, warned the tournament schedule would resemble 'suffering,' with players battling harsh midday conditions. The heat represents one of many controversies plaguing the expanded 32‑team format. FIFPRO and the PFA have launched legal action in Brussels, alleging FIFA overstepped by introducing an unsustainable four‑week calendar, risking player burnout. Critics say the added fixtures, combined with sweltering heat, could severely strain player welfare. FIFA, however, maintains that the extended summer fixtures align with the broader International Match Calendar and that existing protocols are sufficient.
The Star
4 days ago
- Climate
- The Star
Soccer-Scorching heat sparks welfare fears at Club World Cup
Jun 15, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Fans look on during the second half between FC Porto and SE Palmeiras during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images MIAMI (Reuters) -Soaring temperatures and oppressive humidity at the Club World Cup are fuelling concerns among players, coaches, and fans, with calls for additional cooling breaks and adjustments to match schedules. Midday kickoff temperatures in Pasadena at the weekend approached 32 degrees Celsius (89.6 Fahrenheit), forcing players in the Paris St Germain v Atletico Madrid match to dig in early as the midday sun blazed on the Rose Bowl's uncovered stands and pitch. Atletico's Marcos Llorente described the conditions as "terribly hot," saying "my toes were sore, my nails were hurting... it's incredible." Fans, too, voiced concern. Attendees at the Rose Bowl complained of long queues in harsh heat, limited shaded areas and water restrictions at entry, with some leaving at halftime due to dehydration and fear of fainting. Similar mid‑afternoon kickoff conditions are planned for upcoming matches, stoking safety concerns for supporters and players. Monday's match in Pasadena was not an isolated incident. Miami and Los Angeles are experiencing temperatures north of 30 °C (86 °F), many rising above the 32 °C heat‑stress threshold, triggering warnings from player unions. Tuesday's game between Real Madrid and Al Hilal is scheduled at 1500 local time with temperatures expected to reach 32°C with humidity set to hover around 70%. The world players' union FIFPRO has suggested FIFA should revise scheduling, if needed. "FIFPRO has consistently advocated for comprehensive heat protection measures including mandatory cooling breaks, adjustments to kick-off times to avoid the most intense heat, and the postponement of matches when conditions pose a serious health risk to players," FIFPRO said. "With tournaments like the Club World Cup featuring dense match schedules and hot climates in locations such as Orlando and Miami, extreme heat is becoming an increasingly important health and safety issue in professional football. "FIFPRO will closely monitor the situation in the coming weeks with a view to prioritising player welfare over other considerations." The current rules permit one mandatory break per half. England coach Thomas Tuchel, observing the tournament as part of planning for next year's World Cup in North America, warned the tournament schedule would resemble "suffering," with players battling harsh midday conditions. The heat represents one of many controversies plaguing the expanded 32‑team format. FIFPRO and the PFA have launched legal action in Brussels, alleging FIFA overstepped by introducing an unsustainable four‑week calendar, risking player burnout. Critics say the added fixtures, combined with sweltering heat, could severely strain player welfare. FIFA, however, maintains that the extended summer fixtures align with the broader International Match Calendar and that existing protocols are sufficient. (Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
