As the Club World Cup progresses into its final stages, extreme heat has become a dominant theme, sparking significant discourse about player welfare. The tournament, taking place across 11 cities in the United States, has coincided with a severe heat wave, leading to major concerns and complaints from players and coaches alike.
The global footballers' union, FIFPRO, has voiced strong concerns regarding the extreme heat faced by players. They have called for FIFA to consider implementing longer halftime breaks during the upcoming World Cup to mitigate the effects of the heat. FIFPRO's general secretary, Alex Phillips, acknowledged ongoing discussions with FIFA about avoiding matches during the hottest parts of the day. However, he also admitted that scheduling decisions sometimes prioritize prime-time viewing audiences in Europe, potentially at the expense of player safety.
Several coaches of competing teams have openly discussed the challenges posed by the high temperatures. Atletico Madrid's Marcos Llorente described the conditions as "impossible, a terrible heat" after their loss to Paris Saint-Germain in Pasadena. The extreme conditions have prompted FIFA to react by lowering the threshold for implementing cooling breaks and increasing the availability of water and towels around the field. Currently, cooling breaks are typically implemented around the 30th minute of each half. However, FIFPRO has suggested more frequent, shorter breaks, potentially every 15 minutes, to help players manage their core body temperatures more effectively. They have also proposed extending halftime breaks to 20 minutes instead of the usual 15.
A FIFPRO study also warned that six of the venues for the 2026 World Cup in North America present an "extremely high risk" of heat-stress injury for players, including Miami, which is also a Club World Cup host city. With the 2030 World Cup set to be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, where many stadiums lack cooling systems, concerns about the impact of heat on player health and performance are expected to persist.
Adding to the weather-related challenges, several Club World Cup matches have experienced lengthy delays due to the risk of thunderstorms. Rules in the United States require outdoor sporting events to be halted if there is a chance of thunderstorms. For instance, Chelsea's match against Benfica was delayed by nearly two hours in Charlotte due to such concerns.
Despite the weather-related issues, the expanded Club World Cup has also delivered exciting moments on the field. The tournament has seen surprising results, with several UEFA Champions League heavyweights being eliminated. Teams from Brazil, such as Flamengo, Botafogo and Fluminense, along with Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, have emerged as strong contenders, creating thrilling narratives. Fluminense's victory over Inter Milan and Al Hilal's upset win against Manchester City highlight the unpredictable nature of the competition.
As the competition heads towards the final on July 13, the focus remains on balancing the excitement of the matches with the critical need to protect player welfare in the face of challenging environmental conditions. The experiences of this tournament will likely inform future decisions about scheduling and player safety protocols for major football events.
