'It's Not Football...It's A Joke': Enzo Maresca Slams FIFA Over Club World Cup Weather Fiasco
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca criticized the two-hour weather delay during their Club World Cup win over Benfica, questioning the suitability of the U.S. location.
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First Post
14 minutes ago
- First Post
Storm delays expected at FIFA World Cup 2026 after weather plays spoilsport during Club World Cup
Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, concerns are growing over possible weather disruptions in the United States. This after multiple matches at the ongoing Club World Cup were delayed due to extreme heat and thunderstorms. read more The much-anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Lionel Messi and his Argentina team will defend their title, is just a year away. However, concerns have emerged regarding possible weather disruptions after several matches in the ongoing Club World Cup were the United States. The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Since the announcement of the venues, several concerns have been raised, including pitch quality and travel restrictions imposed by Donald Trump. The weather in the USA has now become the latest problem, with travelling teams finding the conditions harsh. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The latest match at the to be impacted by weather is Chelsea's Round of 16 clash against Benfica, which had to be stopped with only five minutes remaining due to bad weather. It was the sixth match in the tournament to be hit by bad weather conditions. In some cases, the delays have lasted up to two hours. More from Football Fans, players, and team officials have expressed concerns over the extreme conditions, especially heat waves in places like Los Angeles, where temperatures went over 40 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, thunderstorms have also become an issue in cities like Orlando, Charlotte, and New Jersey. FIFA World Cup may face similar weather issues According to The Athletic, similar conditions are expected next year during the FIFA World Cup. The report cited Ben Schott, a top official from the National Weather Service (NWS), as saying that heat waves and storms are normal during summers in the United States and could repeat next year. 'What you're seeing right now is very typical. This is not unusual at all. Next year, we may be going through the same thing,' Schott said. NWS is working with FIFA as part of their weather safety planning for next year's World Cup and Schott is part of the team. 'This time of year, especially east of the Rockies, we see thunderstorm development quite frequently. Especially in the northern half of the U.S., (from) Cincinnati all the way east to New York. It's not unusual this time of year to have cold fronts coming through, producing thunderstorms that are going to come through with each cold front. That can come through every three to five, seven days,' Schott added. On the other hand, the ongoing weather issues at the Club World Cup could also be good news for FIFA as they will be able to prepare for next year's mega event. The Club World Cup was expanded to 32 teams this year, but due to the delays and other problems, fans have not had the best experience so far. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
India Today
14 minutes ago
- India Today
Club World Cup: Chelsea's late goals take down Benfica, 10-man Palmeiras beat Botafogo
Chelsea's extra-time goals ensured they got the better of Benfica, while a 10-man Palmeiras dug deep to squeeze out a win over Botafogo in the first two round of 16 games at the FIFA Club World Cup on Sunday, 29 clash against Benfica saw at least a two-hour delay due to a lightning storm in the Charlotte area, which triggered safety protocols and led to players and spectators being moved away from exposed the game resumed, it was a fairly even contest until the second half, when a brilliant set-piece by captain Reece James gave Chelsea the lead. To make matters worse for Benfica, Prestianni was sent off. However, the Portuguese side managed to equalise through a penalty converted by veteran Angel di Maria. 'Very proud. The performance, for me, was top until 85 minutes when they stopped the game and it started a completely different game,' Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca commented.'When you are inside for more than one hour, it's not easy. But 1-1, and then we continued to play, and the reward was the one that we deserved,' he the match entered extra time, Chelsea completely outclassed their opponents, with Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall all getting on the scoresheet to seal their place in the next in the battle between the Brazilian sides, Palmeiras came out on top with an extra-time winner to beat the in-form Botafogo 1–0. Paulinho scored the decisive goal in the 110th minute, although there was late drama as Gustavo Gmez was sent off in the 126th minute.'We played an incredible game,' Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira told reporters.'We did very well in the 90 minutes and in extra time. We suffered together with one player less, but we deserved it,' he Brazilian sides have continued to impress in this competition and will be looking to go deep in the tournament, hoping to challenge the top European teams and prove they are also quality next set of fixtures will see Lionel Messi's Inter Miami take on PSG — a highly anticipated encounter, with the Argentine going up against his former club. It promises to be a contest to watch, especially as the reigning Champions League winners are set to be in action.- EndsTrending Reel
The Hindu
17 minutes ago
- The Hindu
FIFA Club World Cup: We will see confident Brazilian teams in knockout stage, says Arsene Wenger
The gulf between South American and European teams may not be as wide as expected at the Club World Cup, but a clear gap still exists in their efficiency in front of goal, according to FIFA technical experts. Arsene Wenger, FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development, and Juergen Klinsmann, former Germany and U.S. national team coach, were speaking at a round table on Saturday as the tournament enters its knockout phase. 'At the start of the competition, many opponents seemed to fear playing against the European teams,' Wenger said. 'But as things progressed - especially the Brazilians - they began to realise it might not be so different after all.' Flamengo and Botafogo beat European teams during the group phase of the 32-team competition, with the latter's 1-0 victory over European champions Paris St Germain standing out. ALSO READ | What the CWC tells us about revival of Brazilian League football Wenger said growing belief, especially among Brazilian sides, has shifted the dynamic heading into the last 16. 'Maybe it's also because they've gained the confidence to do it. That shift in mindset could mean we'll see a different Brazil in the knockout stage than we saw in the group phase,' he added. The Frenchman highlighted the influence of Filipe Luis, whose Flamengo side showed what Wenger called the most European tactical profile among South American sides at the tournament. 'Filipe has ... played in Europe, and you can see that in the way his team approaches the game,' Wenger said. GAP CLOSING Wenger and Klinsmann said South American clubs were quickly closing the gap in infrastructure and preparation. 'When we visited the teams, we saw delegations of up to 100 people - support staff, analysts, advisors,' Wenger said. 'With squads of 23 to 35 players, these clubs are now fully professional in every department. That level of preparation allows teams to learn quickly.' The key difference, however, remains in execution. 'In the final third, European clubs are simply more clinical,' Wenger said. Klinsmann agreed, saying the real divide lies in mentality. 'Experience is also a big part of quality,' he said. 'When is a club like Pachuca or Monterrey (of Mexico) playing in a tournament like this?' Drawing on his time as U.S. national coach, Klinsmann stressed the importance of testing players outside their comfort zones. 'That's why I always said, 'Get us into Copa America. Get us into Europe'. That's the kind of competition that develops a winning mentality,' he said. 'If this tournament were held again next year, Pachuca would be a different team - more confident, more refined. 'But they have to be more clinical. When you're in the box, it's your head that makes the decision, not just your feet. And that's the difference.' With the round of 16 underway on Saturday, analysts said the knockout stages would offer a clearer picture of how much ground South American teams have made up, tactically and psychologically. 'We might see very different attitudes now,' Wenger said. Flamengo face Bayern Munich on Sunday and Inter Milan meet Fluminense on Monday.
