Weather concerns continue to shape the Fifa Club World Cup after a fourth game was delayed because of thunderstorms – while a heatwave is expected next week.
The second half of Benfica’s Group C game against Auckland City kicked off over two hours late because of heavy rain and storms in Orlando.
The kick-off for Mamelodi Sundowns against Ulsan HD in the same city had been delayed for over an hour.
And there were long pauses in the second halves of Palmeiras v Al-Ahly in New Jersey (40 minutes) and Salzburg v Pachuca in Cincinnati (90 minutes).
Campaign group Fossil Free Football say 10 matches are due to be played in the next week with either a major or extreme heat risk, as temperatures could reach 41C.
This comes just a year out from the World Cup which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“Many of the players expecting to compete in 2026 are already getting a taste of what’s to come,” said Dr Chris Tyler, an environmental physiologist from the University of Roehampton and an authority on heat stress in elite sports.
“Such conditions will be commonplace with many of the fixtures scheduled for before 5pm to maximise TV audiences.
“Extreme heat could become the tournament’s most formidable opponent.”
A statement from the world governing body read: “Fifa will continue to monitor the weather conditions in coordination with the venue teams to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.”
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