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Forbes
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Club World Cup Spotlights Sustainable Stadiums And Need For Climate Resilience
Paris Saint-Germain's Spanish midfielder #08 Fabian Ruiz scores his team's third goal during the ... More FIFA Club World Cup 2025 semifinal football match between France's Paris Saint-Germain and Spain's Real Madrid at the MetLife stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on July 9, 2025. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP) (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty Images) FIFA Club World Cup 2025 has made headlines for more than just soccer. Elite performances have been on display, but much of the spotlight has been on delays caused by heatwaves and lightning storms, welfare concerns from coaches and players, attendance figures and questions around commercial integrity. From an extreme weather, climate and sustainability standpoint, the tournament has delivered a critical wake up call ahead of the 2026 Men's World Cup, taking place in the U.S as well as Mexico and Canada in the same summer timeframe. Experts have urged FIFA to make proactive decisions to protect players, fans, and the integrity of the competition as climate risks intensify. Ideas include adjusting match times and even altering game formats, if there is a repeat of the record-breaking heat and weather disruptions experienced this year. 'From a thermal-physiological perspective, for both health and performance reasons, I'd be looking to start games as early as possible,' professor of human and applied physiology at Portsmouth University, Professor Mike Tipton shared recently. "It's not beyond the realms that matches have to go to quarters rather than halves," he went on. PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 15: Paris Saint-Germain players head to the bench during a cooling break ... More at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group B match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Club Atletico de Madrid at Rose Bowl on June 15, 2025, in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Seth Greenberg/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) World players' union Fifpro has shared similar thoughts, advocating for more frequent cooling breaks and a longer half-time breaks. "A half-time of 15 minutes might not be enough to decrease the core temperature. So a lot of research is being done into alternative mitigation strategies and it could be that a half-time of 20 minutes is significant,' shared Dr Vincent Gouttebarg Fifpro's medical director. 31 of the first 54 matches at Club World Cup had cooling breaks. Although match times will not be announced until later this year, the dates and locations of games for 2026 men's World Cup games are already set. Attention is turning to how these venues are stepping up, not only to adapt and be match-ready in an era of escalating climate risks, but to mitigate their longer-term environmental impacts. The majority of venues hosting Club World Cup games this year, as well as Men's World Cup matches next year, have some environmental sustainability efforts ongoing, but a number stand out due to their longer-term, systemic and visible efforts. Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia Lincoln Financial Field is home to Philadelphia Eagles, winners of the 2025 Super Bowl, has hosted six FIFA Club World Cup fixtures this year and will host six games for Men's World Cup 2026. Tea 'Sustainability is a core value of our operation at both the Philadelphia Eagles and Lincoln Financial Field. It's a privilege to showcase our stadium's sustainability efforts on one of the largest stages in sports,' vice president of fan experience and sustainability, Norman Vossschulte shared with me recently. Advanced waste systems include a closed-loop program converting bottle caps into stadium materials, reverse vending machines, and widespread composting, achieving waste diversion rates of up to 99%. The installation of water refill stations and efficient fixtures has prevented over a million plastic bottles from entering landfill. Lumen Field, Seattle Lumen Field also hosted six Club World Cup matches and will welcome six more World Cup fixtures in 2026, including a U.S. Men's National Team game. 'Environmental sustainability is integrated throughout our departments and programs,' sustainability manager for Lumen Field and Seattle Seahawks, Christy Briggs told me. As an organization they say they are willing to take risks that are informed by the best available science and supported by those who have come before. In the past 12 months, 98% of the building's lighting has been converted to LED, which can be up to 80% more energy efficient than traditional bulbs. During Club World Cup, Lumen Field separated aluminium and plastic to further ensure where their recycling goes. 'This is not a part of our normal process and our team was able to do it while still maintaining our other sorting. We are hoping not only to move forward with this at the World Cup but integrating it into our regular processes,' Briggs shared. 'It is also important that we impact our fans and communities. If our fans learn and adopt some element of environmental sustainability that they learn from us, we exponentially make a bigger impact than our programs alone,' she went on. Guidelines on how to be a more sustainable fan include encouraging fans to carpool, donate unused clothes, choose locally sourced plant-based foods and learn how to recycle and compost. Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, Atlanta Mercedes‑Benz Stadium is the only stadium that hosted 2025 Club World Cup games with a retractable roof. However for next summer's World Cup, players and spectators will benefit from other stadiums having this too, in Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles in the U.S., and Vancouver and Toronto in Canada. MBS hosted six matches of the Club World Cup, including marquee gatherings like PSG vs. Bayern Munich, and is slated as a key venue for the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup, hosting eight matches including the semi-final. ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 16: General view inside the stadium during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 ... More group D match between Chelsea FC and Los Angeles Football Club at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 16, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) Opened in 2017, it was the first professional sports venue to earn LEED Platinum certification, a standard awarded for sustainable design and construction. It also became the first to earn TRUE Platinum certification for zero-waste practices, diverting over 90% of event and administrative waste. Sustainability features include over 4,000 rooftop solar panels that generate enough energy to fully power nine Falcons or 13 Atlanta United games. Climate change is intensifying the global water cycle, leading to more frequent and severe flooding and drought. MBS is built to be prepared for both. Its stormwater management includes an underground 1.1 million-gallon vault that captures and releases stormwater to help prevent flooding in neighboring communities. A 680,000-gallon cistern harvests rainwater that is used for irrigating outdoor areas, this and various water-conserving efforts have reduced water use by nearly 50%. Adam Fullerton, vice president of operations at Mercedes-Benz Stadium told me recently that during major global events like the Club World Cup and the upcoming FIFA World Cup in 2026, they are 'doubling down' on these efforts. 'Hosting guests from around the world is an incredible honor, and we want every fan experience to reflect our dedication to reducing landfill waste, curbing our carbon footprint, and driving systemic change,' he shared. 'Sustainability isn't just a priority during everyday operations, it's embedded in how we prepare for and deliver the world's biggest events.' MetLife Stadium, New Jersey Hosting the final for 2025 Club World Cup and 2026 Men's World Cup Final, MetLife Stadium also hosted seven additional matches this year and five next year. The stadium has no roof, so thermal exposure to spectators and players is intensified, especially when contending with the temperature highs of 102 degrees experienced this June. METLIFE STADIUM, EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES - 2025/07/08: A giant screen displays ... More the hydration break sign during the FIFA Club World Cup semi final football match between Fluminense FC and Chelsea FC. Chelsea FC won 2-0 over Fluminense FC. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images) A UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework signatory, the stadium is working towards net-zero by 2040. Its environmental efforts include onsite solar energy generation, water-saving fixtures, and recycling programs. It has implemented hybrid and electric vehicle infrastructure, and diverts and donates food and material waste. The stadium encourages fans to get involved in efforts too, through carpooling and public transport, green tailgating that prioritises reuse and recycling, and choosing locally sourced foods. As the final whistle blows on the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 this weekend, operational and environmental pressures in a major sports tournament has once again been exposed. While stadiums show sustainability leadership, heat delays, storm disruptions, and concerns over player welfare and fan experience highlight the need for a more climate-ready tournament model. With the FIFA Men's World Cup 2026 on the horizon, many of its matches set in the same venues, learnings can offer a crucial opportunity to rethink scheduling, strengthen sustainability commitments, and ensure that soccer's global showpiece is genuinely evolving towards climate resilience in line with FIFA's stated commitments.
Business Upturn
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Business Upturn
Why Real Madrid vs Fluminense third-place clash isn't happening at Club World Cup 2025
By Aman Shukla Published on July 12, 2025, 16:29 IST The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has been a thrilling ride, with top clubs like Real Madrid and Fluminense battling it out on the global stage in the United States. Fans were hoping for a blockbuster third-place play-off between these two giants after their semi-final exits. However, FIFA has confirmed that no such match will take place. Here's a clear and friendly explanation of why Real Madrid and Fluminense won't be facing off for the bronze medal. A New Format for the Club World Cup The 2025 Club World Cup is the first to feature an expanded 32-team format, running from June 14 to July 13. Unlike previous editions or the FIFA World Cup for national teams, this tournament does not include a third-place play-off. FIFA made this deliberate choice to prioritize player welfare and streamline the schedule, allowing teams to return home sooner after a grueling month-long competition. What Happened in the Semi-Finals? Real Madrid and Fluminense both entered the Club World Cup with high hopes but fell short in the semi-finals. Real Madrid suffered a shocking 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), with goals from Fabian Ruiz (twice), Ousmane Dembélé, and Gonçalo Ramos. Meanwhile, Fluminense lost 2-0 to Chelsea, with João Pedro scoring both goals against his former club. These results set up a PSG vs. Chelsea final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 13, leaving Real Madrid and Fluminense to head home early. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
Bangkok Post
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Bangkok Post
Flying PSG pose huge challenge for Chelsea
The Club World Cup has had its critics but after a slow start and problems concerning the brutal heat it promises to serve up a tasty climax tomorrow as surprise finalists Chelsea take on strong favourites Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Chelsea are facing a formidable task judging from the way PSG demolished Real Madrid 4-0 in Wednesday's semi-final. The Spanish side never really got into the game after finding themselves 3-0 down after 24 minutes with two goals from Fabian Ruiz and a third from Ousmane Dembele. PSG were admittedly helped by some sloppy Real Madrid defending. Luis Enrique's side went on to control the game and the French club look to be in fine fettle for the final. Their outstanding fluid play sparked reminders of how they thrashed Inter Milan 5-0 in similar fashion to win the Champions League. The PSG boss naturally was delighted with the performance. "We are in a special moment... we are almost there," he said. "We want to make history with our club." After watching PSG roll over their Spanish rivals, Chelsea know they will have to be at their very best if they are to make any impression on the French side who appear to have the pace and quality to tear any team apart. But in football you never know. Chelsea had not made much of an impression in the early stages of the tournament but two successive victories over strong Brazilian sides Palmeiras and Fluminense suggest their big-spending approach, criticised though it is, could finally be paying off. The Blues certainly could not have asked more from new Brazilian signing Joao Pedro who already paid back some of his £55 million transfer fee by bagging both goals in the impressive 2-0 win over Fluminense. In addition to the well-taken goals the former Brighton star put on a fine all-round display as he led the Chelsea line in his first full debut after coming on as a sub against Palmeiras. It was not just the goals but his link-up play that must have pleased manager Enzo Maresca. However the Chelsea boss will not get too carried away after just a couple of promising games and knows there is still a lot of work to do. Maresca was very happy at the outcome saying "For us to be in the final is something to be proud of." There were also significant contributions from the whole team to indicate Chelsea can look forward to the approaching season with some optimism. Portuguese winger Pedro Neto, who has been in good form throughout, had another fine game as did left back Marc Cucurella who made a remarkable clearance off the line. The torrid heat continues to be a problem with the Chelsea-Fluminese game being played in 35C temperatures. You cannot do much about the weather but it will be of some concern for next year's World Cup which will be held at some of the stadiums used for the current tournament. Decent crowds of more than 70,000 sweated it out at the New Jersey stadium for both semi-finals. Attendances have naturally improved as the tournament neared the closing stages. Small crowds had been an issue at the start of the event but this was exaggerated by the fact that most of the US stadiums are huge and look half empty even when there is a sizeable crowd.
Forbes
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Club World Cup Final: Can Chelsea Stop World's Best PSG?
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 09: Fabian Ruiz #8 of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates scoring his ... More team's third goal with teammate Achraf Hakimi during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 semi-final match between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid CF at MetLife Stadium on July 09, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by) Paris Saint-Germain's dismantling of Inter Milan in the Champions League final at the end of May felt like the end. The end of the Parisians' quest to reach European glory, the end of years of disappointment on the continental stage the Qatari Sports Investments did not foresee would last for as long as they did when it purchased the club back in 2011. This, at last, was a case of mission accomplished. For all the 36 domestic trophies that PSG lifted in the past 14 years, winning the Champions League was what really mattered. But the 5-0 thrashing of Inter - the biggest margin of victory in the history of the Champions League final, both in its current guise and under the old European Cup format - also felt like the beginning. The beginning of an era in which PSG are no longer content with competing for continental trophies, but want to be seen as the dominant force in European football. In that respect, the Club World Cup has only enhanced their credentials. The newly-crowned Champions League winners arrive into Sunday's final against Chelsea on the back of trouncing Real Madrid 4-0 in the semi-final at MetLife Stadium on Wednesday. Two goals to the good with just nine minutes on the clock, PSG carved the Spanish giants wide open again in the 24th minute, Achraf Hakimi charging down the wing to set up a stunning finish from Fabian Ruiz. By the time Goncalo Ramos made 4-0 late in the game, Kylian Mbappe cut a forlorn figure in the East Rutherford heat. Mbappe, of course, was the man tasked with deliver the Champions League trophy PSG so dearly wanted from the moment he moved to the Parc des Princes weeks after Neymar's arrival in Paris. Signed for €222m ($260m) from Barcelona, the Brazilian remains the most expensive footballer in history, with Mbappe a close second after PSG paid Monaco €180m ($210m). When Lionel Messi joined the duo in 2021, a Champions League triumph appeared fate accompli for PSG. It was anything but. As domestic trophies continued to arrive with processional regularity, European football's biggest prize remained elusive. Neymar and Messi left in 2023, Mbappe followed suit last summer. PSG are a ruthless machine under Luis Enrique EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 09: Ousmane Dembele #10 of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates scoring ... More his team's second goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 semi-final match between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid CF at MetLife Stadium on July 09, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by) In their absence, Luis Enrique has pivoted away from the glitz and glamour and made PSG a far more coherent and cohesive team. Ousmane Dembele has scored 35 goals and registered 16 assists in all competitions this season after netting just six last term. But his work rate has been just as important to Luis Enrique's plans as his goals. The same goes for Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the two wingers who play either side of Dembele. 'It's the collective effort,' Ruiz told reporters after PSG dispatched Madrid. 'We have excellent players, but without the collective, we are not much.' PSG's only hiccup in the US came as they lost 1-0 to Botafogo in their second group game, either side of thrashing Atletico Madrid 4-0 and beating Seattle Sounders 2-0. Inter Miami were thrashed 4-0 in the Round of 16, before a comfortable 2-0 win over Bayern Munich set up the semi-final against Real Madrid. If PSG are a perfectly oiled, relentless machine, Chelsea appear to exist in a perpetual state of chaos. And yet, victory at MetLife Stadium on Sunday would see Enzo Maresca become the first Blues manager to win two trophies in his first season since Roberto Di Matteo lifted the FA Cup and the Champions League in 2012. Like PSG, Chelsea's only blip came in the second group stage game, when they lost 3-1 to Flamengo. Los Angeles FC and Esperance Tunis were comfortably dealt with, Benfica were dispatched 4-1 in extra time in the Round of 16, before a 2-1 victory over Palmeiras and a 2-0 win over Fluminense followed in the next two rounds. Can Chelsea win a second trophy this season? WROCLAW, POLAND - MAY 28: Reece James of Chelsea lifts the UEFA Conference League trophy after his ... More team's victory in the UEFA Conference League Final 2025 between Real Betis Balompie and Chelsea FC at Stadion Wroclaw on May 28, 2025 in Wroclaw, Poland. (Photo by) While some clubs appeared to treat the Club World Cup like a hindrance, the Blues have never made a mystery of their desire to succeed in FIFA's latest jamboree. Much as in the Europa Conference League in May, their persistence could be about to be rewarded. 'We are very happy, very proud to play the final on Sunday,' Maresca said after Chelsea made light work of Fluminense in the semi-final on Tuesday. 'The reason why is because this is the first edition of the Club World Cup. The best clubs in the world are here. For us to be in the final is something to be proud of. 'I know how difficult it is with all the games. Premier League top four, we won the Conference League and now a final here – it is fantastic.' Were they to win the final, Chelsea, who finished fourth in the Premier League, would pocket around £80m ($108m) in prize money. The reward for winning the tournament was initially estimated at £92m ($124m), but according to BBC Sport, Chelsea are entitled to less than that as the participation fee for European teams varies depending on "sporting and commercial criteria". It would still be significant financial boost for Chelsea, who have spent north of $285m on signings this summer. Strikers Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, who scored the opener against Fluminense in the semi-final, arrived from Ipswich Town and Brighton respectively. 'I am very happy for Joao,' Maresca said of the Brazilian. 'He has quality to decide the game like today. We know he is a good player against teams that defend deep. Winger Jamie Gittens signed from Borussia Dortmund, while fellow forward Estevao will join from Palmeiras, whom Chelsea beat in the quarter-finals, once the tournament is over. Meanwhile, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr have signed from Portuguese giants Sporting and Ligue 1 club Strasbourg. Chelsea sweat on Moises Caicedo's fitness EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 8: Moises Caicedo of Chelsea looks on during the FIFA Club World ... More Cup 2025 semi-final match between Fluminense FC and Chelsea FC at MetLife Stadium on July 8, 2025 in East Rutherford, United States. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images) But for all the new signings at Maresca's disposal, the key to beat PSG may rest with Moises Caicedo, who joined from Brighton for £115m ($155m) two years ago. Chelsea's second-most expensive ever after teammate Enzo Fernandez, Caicedo returned to training on Thursday after recovering from an ankle injury he suffered against Fluminense and should be available to face the European champions on Sunday. The Blues desperately need the Ecuadorian to be fit if they are to disrupt PSG's outstanding midfield trio of Vitinha, João Neves and Ruiz. At the same time, Maresca is no stranger to rotate his squad and has used 27 players in the Club World Cup, the most of any team in the tournament. Ahead of the semi-final, the Chelsea manager complained about the amount of games his team have played this season - Sunday will be Chelsea's 64th match, with the start of the Premier League season just over a month away. "Our players last had one month holiday in June 2024,' he said. "It is a huge difference — so the weather conditions plus the difference of calendar make the levels in the team [from various continents] very close.' Beat PSG on Sunday and Maresca and Chelsea will have earned a well deserved holiday.
Express Tribune
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
PSG inflict humiliating defeat on Real Madrid
Fabian Ruiz scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Real Madrid in their Club World Cup semi-final on Wednesday. Photo: AFP Fabian Ruiz scored twice as European champions Paris Saint-Germain turned on the style in their reunion with Kylian Mbappe on Wednesday, thrashing Real Madrid 4-0 in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup to set up a final showdown with Chelsea. Ruiz and Ousmane Dembele scored inside nine minutes to stun Real and silence the majority of the 77,542 crowd who were wearing white at the MetLife Stadium outside New York. The Spanish midfielder added another before half-time and Goncalo Ramos got a late fourth as Luis Enrique's side moved one game away from glory at FIFA's new tournament. Victory against Chelsea on Sunday would complete a campaign of unparalleled success for the Parisians, who won the French title and then the first UEFA Champions League in their history in May. "We are in a special season, a special moment, and we deserved to win," Luis Enrique told broadcaster DAZN before looking ahead to the final. "We are going to try, one more step against a good team like Chelsea. They did great, they performed the whole competition and now it is time for us to prepare for that... we want to make history in our club, and then take some holidays." After blowing away Inter Milan 5-0, the biggest victory in European Cup final history, PSG began their Club World Cup bid by putting four past Atletico Madrid and the ease with which they disposed of Real was striking. PSG's fluidity contrasted starkly with Madrid, who are a work in progress under new coach Xabi Alonso. "We were not good enough today," said Alonso. "We are not the first ones to lose to them but we have a lot of different things to improve." Mbappe struggled to make any impact on his first start at the tournament and in his first game against PSG since leaving the French club last year. The defeat is a real blow to Real as they hoped to win the first 32-team Club World Cup to add to their record tally of 15 European Cups. PSG were without imposing centre-back Willian Pacho due to suspension following his sending-off against Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, but that did not matter. Lucas Beraldo slotted into the defence with ease, and the rest of PSG's first-choice line-up was there. Day to forget for Mbappe Real were missing central defender Dean Huijsen through suspension, while the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold was an added blow. The return to the starting XI of Mbappe, who missed the entire group stage through illness, did not prevent young striker Gonzalo Garcia from keeping his place. But the Spanish giants' front line, completed by Vinicius Junior, made no real impact, such was the extent of PSG's domination. Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made two superb saves inside the opening five minutes, the first to tip away a Ruiz shot, and the second to deny Nuno Mendes from point-blank range. Yet Courtois could not prevent Paris from scoring in the sixth minute, as Dembele pounced on slack defending by Raul Asencio. The Real 'keeper saved at the forward's feet but Ruiz converted the loose ball. Three minutes later and the contest was effectively over when Antonio Rudiger failed to control a simple pass from Jude Bellingham, allowing Dembele to run through before finishing low into the corner. Like his friend Mbappe, Dembele was starting for the first time at the competition having been injured. That was a 35th club goal since August for a player who is a serious candidate for the Ballon d'Or. It was turning into a humiliating afternoon for Real as PSG got their third midway through the first half. A deflected shot by Mbappe was easily held by Gianluigi Donnarumma, and no Madrid player touched the ball again before they were picking it out of their net a minute later. Dembele released Achraf Hakimi on the right and he squared for Ruiz, the Spain star taking a touch to hold off Fede Valverde before finishing. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia could have got a fourth before the interval, while Desire Doue had a goal disallowed early in the second half. But Real were not coming back, and Alonso opted to take off Bellingham and Vinicius just after the hour mark in a clear sign of surrender. PSG then got their fourth after 87 minutes when Ramos controlled a pass from fellow substitute Bradley Barcola, turned and fired in.
