As the FIFA Club World Cup unfolds across cities in the United States, several European clubs continue to struggle against high temperatures and subpar pitch conditions in the tournament.
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 was expected to be a smooth preview for next year’s expanded FIFA World Cup that is scheduled to take place in footballing stadiums across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. However, present realities of the tournament, ranging from heatwaves to poor pitch conditions, have raised serious concerns about the US’s ability to host the World Cup. As temperatures run high across host cities, players are struggling to maintain their form amidst trying circumstances.
High afternoon temperatures nearing 33°C have proved particularly tough for players across venues like Cincinnati, Philadelphia, and Charlotte. Borussia Dortmund’s coach, Niko Kovac, even chose to keep some of his substitutes indoors to avoid exhaustion during their Cincinnati fixture. Similar complaints came from Chelsea’s Italian manager Enzo Maresca, who termed the heat “unplayable” for afternoon sessions. Atlético Madrid‘s Marcos Llorente explained that the weather has had a severe impact on both player recovery and sharpness during the game.
Adding to the difficulties, heavy storms have led to several delays throughout the star-studded tournament. In Orlando, a match between Benfica and Auckland City was postponed for nearly two hours due to lightning threats. Other games across places like Orlando and Cincinnati were also interrupted under FIFA’s lightning safety protocol, which mandates that the game be halted if a lightning strike is detected within a 10-mile radius of the venue.
FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Poor pitch conditions
As per European club managers, the challenges are not limited to climate alone. The condition of pitches, especially where natural turf has been laid over NFL (National Football League) surfaces, has been met with heavy criticism. Both coaches and players alike have been quite vocal about expressing their frustration over dry and uneven fields that have disrupted ball movement and increased injury risk.
Real Madrid’s star midfielder Jude Bellingham did not shy away from expressing his disappointment with the pitch’s quality. “The pitches aren’t great here, honestly,” the Real Madrid player said. “It holds up, the ball barely bounces, and it’s tough on the knees as well. Hopefully, it’s something that someone will look at going into the World Cup next year. We must protect the players as well as give the fans a spectacle.”