Extreme heat, storms take toll at Club World Cup

Observer

3 days ago

LOS ANGELES, United States: Furnace-like heat and the threat of thunder and lightning are wreaking havoc at the Club World Cup — and more of the same is likely at the 2026 World Cup.
With the latest in a series of brutal, climate change-driven record heatwaves blanketing the eastern United States, adapting to the weather has become a key focus for coaches and players.
Borussia Dortmund took the unusual step of leaving their substitutes in the dressing room for the first half of their game against Mamelodi Sundowns in Cincinnati, rather than have them sitting on the bench in blazing sunshine.
Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca meanwhile cut short his team's training session in Philadelphia on Monday as the City of Brotherly Love baked in temperatures of 99 degrees Fahrenheit (37.2 degrees Celsius).
Esperance Sportive de Tunis' Yan Sasse reacts as sprinklers come on during the second half hydration break. — Reuters
Dortmund coach Niko Kovac, meanwhile, said the weather could ultimately shape the destiny of the tournament.
"I think that this tournament will be decided not by the best team, but the team that can adapt to these weather conditions the best. They will probably win this tournament," Kovac said.
While cooling breaks midway through each half have become standard during the tournament, Dortmund, like other teams, are taking extra steps to mitigate the heat and humidity.
"Our boys are very well taken care of by our doctors and the medical staff," Kovac said.
"We have very cold towels. We put them in ice baths. The boys also need to cool down their legs and their feet in cold water and ice baths."
The experience of the Club World Cup is likely a preview of what can be expected at next year's men's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Benfica's Nicolas Otamendi in the sprinklers during a cooling break. — Reuters
A recent study published by the International Journal of Biometeorology warned of the risk posed by extreme heat at the tournament for players and spectators, citing climate change as a cause of "extreme heat" events that were "more frequent and intense".
On Tuesday, Boca Juniors' game against Auckland City became the fifth match of the tournament to experience a lengthy delay due to public safety regulations used in the United States that mandate play is halted whenever lightning is within 10 miles (16.1 kilometres) of a stadium.
A weather delay in Benfica's game against Auckland led to an interruption in play of nearly two hours.
National Weather Service official Ben Schott, who advises FIFA and the US World Cup taskforce for 2026, says the kind of weather affecting the ongoing competition is not out of the ordinary, and said teams and fans next year should plan accordingly.
"Nothing that we're seeing right now is unusual even though we are breaking records," Schott told AFP.
"Most of the eastern United States is breaking records, and then that happens almost every summer. To expect something similar next year as a possibility is something that people should prepare for if you're going to come and enjoy the games."
While heat was an issue when the United States last hosted the World Cup finals in 1994, no games at that tournament were halted by storm warnings.
That is due to increasingly sophisticated forecasting technology, Schott said. — AFP