Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea has voiced concerns over the “very dangerous” conditions faced during the Club World Cup, urging FIFA to reconsider the scheduling for the 2026 World Cup to protect players’ safety. The extreme heat experienced in the U.S. during the tournament has raised alarms among numerous players and coaches.
Data from the global players’ union, FIFPRO, suggests that games should be postponed or delayed when temperatures exceed the 28° Celsius (82.4° Fahrenheit) threshold as indicated by the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT).
During Chelsea’s semi-final match against Fulminence at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Tuesday, the temperature hit 96°F at 3 PM. Chelsea is set to compete against Paris Saint-Germain at the same time on Sunday, and Enzo admitted that he is finding the conditions challenging.
“Honestly, the heat is overwhelming,” Enzo stated. “I cannot quite explain it.” He elaborated that he felt dizzy during a match and had to lie down due to the extreme conditions, emphasizing the dangers of playing in such heat.
Moreover, the heat negatively impacts not only player performance but also the viewing experience for fans in the stadium and those watching from home, resulting in a slower pace of play.
Next year’s World Cup will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico during June and July. Enzo has called for a reassessment of the tournament schedule to mitigate the impact of extreme heat on the competition.
“Hopefully, they will reconsider their scheduling next year,” he remarked. “It’s important to retain an attractive football spectacle.”
Former Arsenal coach Arsène Wenger, who now leads FIFA’s global football development, acknowledged that the sweltering temperatures during the Club World Cup influenced gameplay. “The heat in some matches was problematic,” Wenger noted. “We made efforts to implement cooling breaks and watered the pitch more frequently, and we’ve learned valuable lessons from this.”
Wenger added that FIFA is exploring the option of scheduling earlier matches in covered stadiums in cities like Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Houston. He also mentioned that studies have examined how heat affects player performance, revealing that temperatures above 35°C (95°F) impair speed and sprinting capabilities.
“Next year will see us adjusting our TV schedule, as we have more stadiums with roofs,” Wenger said, indicating that FIFA is becoming better prepared to handle such conditions.
This report incorporates information from Reuters.
Fan Take: This issue is critical for soccer fans, as extreme weather not only affects player safety but also the quality of matches they love to watch. Ensuring that future tournaments are scheduled considering players’ well-being could lead to more exciting and competitive games, enhancing the overall experience for fans worldwide.
