June 17, (THEWILL) – Extreme temperatures at the Club World Cup have sparked urgent calls for match schedule changes after players and fans suffered in sweltering conditions during weekend fixtures.
The Paris Saint-Germain versus Atletico Madrid match at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl saw midday temperatures reach 32 degrees Celsius, with Atletico’s Marcos Llorente describing the conditions as “terribly hot” and complaining that “my toes were sore, my nails were hurting… It’s incredible.”
Spectators faced equally harsh conditions, with many attendees reporting long queues in blazing heat, insufficient shade, and water restrictions at entry points.
Several supporters left at half-time due to dehydration fears and concerns about fainting.
The Rose Bowl’s uncovered stands provided little relief from the relentless sun, creating dangerous conditions for thousands of fans who had travelled to watch the tournament.
Miami and Los Angeles venues are recording temperatures consistently above 30 degrees Celsius, with many matches exceeding the 32-degree heat stress threshold that triggers official warnings from player unions.
Tuesday’s Real Madrid versus Al Hilal fixture is scheduled for 3pm local time despite forecasts predicting 32-degree temperatures combined with 70 per cent humidity levels that could prove hazardous for player health.
FIFPRO, the world players’ union, has demanded FIFA revise scheduling protocols to protect player welfare.
The organisation advocates for mandatory cooling breaks, adjusted kick-off times to avoid peak heat periods, and match postponements when conditions pose serious health risks.
Current regulations permit only one mandatory break per half, which critics argue is insufficient given the tournament’s dense schedule and challenging climate conditions across venues in Orlando and Miami.
England coach Thomas Tuchel, monitoring the tournament ahead of next year’s North American World Cup, warned that the schedule would create “suffering” for players battling harsh midday conditions.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
