The sweltering heat and the looming threat of thunderstorms are causing significant disruptions at the Club World Cup, and similar conditions are expected for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
With an intense heatwave affecting large areas of the eastern United States, adapting to these extreme weather conditions has become a crucial consideration for both coaches and players.
Borussia Dortmund took the uncommon step of keeping their substitutes in the changing room during the first half of their match against Mamelodi Sundowns in Cincinnati, rather than having them exposed to the harsh sunlight on the sidelines.
Chelsea’s coach, Enzo Maresca, opted to shorten his team’s training session in Philadelphia on Monday, as the City of Brotherly Love sweltered in temperatures reaching 99 degrees Fahrenheit (37.2 degrees Celsius).
Dortmund’s coach Niko Kovac remarked that the weather could ultimately influence the outcome of the tournament.
“I believe this tournament will be won not by the best team, but by the one that can adjust best to these climatic conditions. They are likely to be the champions,” Kovac stated.
While cooling breaks in each half have become a standard practice during the tournament, Dortmund, like other teams, are taking additional measures to cope with the extreme heat and humidity.
“Our players are very well looked after by our medical team,” Kovac explained.
“We use very cold towels and have ice baths available. The players also need to cool down their limbs and feet using cold water and ice baths.”
The conditions experienced at the Club World Cup may serve as a preview for what to expect at next year’s men’s World Cup across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
A recent study published in the International Journal of Biometeorology highlighted the dangers posed by extreme heat during the tournament for both players and fans, attributing the increasing frequency and intensity of such events to climate change.
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Weather Interruptions
The study found that 14 out of the 16 host cities for the 2026 World Cup regularly experience temperatures that surpass the widely accepted safe limits for wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) – a common measure of heat stress.
The authors of the study suggested scheduling matches outside of peak afternoon hours when the conditions tend to be most severe.
In addition to the oppressive heat and humidity, teams at the Club World Cup have faced matches being temporarily halted due to lightning warnings.
On Tuesday, Boca Juniors’ match versus Auckland City became the fifth game of the tournament to encounter a significant delay due to safety regulations in the United States, which require play to stop whenever lightning is detected within a 10-mile (16.1 kilometres) radius of a stadium.
A weather-related interruption in Benfica’s match against Auckland lasted nearly two hours.
Ben Schott, an official from the National Weather Service who provides advice to FIFA and the US World Cup taskforce for 2026, noted that the weather impacting the ongoing competition is not out of the ordinary and stressed that teams and fans should be prepared for similar conditions next year.
“What we’re seeing now is not unusual, even though we’re breaking records,” Schott informed AFP.
“Most parts of the eastern United States are reaching record highs, which is typical for this time of year. It’s something attendees should prepare for if they plan to enjoy the matches.”
While extreme heat was a concern during the last World Cup held in the United States in 1994, no matches were suspended due to weather warnings back then.
This improvement is attributed to advancements in forecasting technology, according to Schott.
“We are now able to foresee weather patterns almost a week in advance and predict them with considerable accuracy, unlike 15-20 years ago,” Schott said.
He added that thunderstorms and lightning are typical occurrences in many regions of North America.
“This is quite standard for United States weather at this time of year,” Schott remarked.
“We receive a significant influx of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, which leads to afternoon thunderstorms.”
“As we move closer to World Cup 2026, the conditions we are witnessing now are likely to be repeated.”
FIFA did not immediately respond to an inquiry from AFP for comment.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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