A punishing heatwave sweeping across the United States is taking a significant toll on players and fans at the FIFA Club World Cup, raising serious concerns about the conditions for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. With temperatures soaring into the 90s Fahrenheit and above, substitutes are watching matches from air-conditioned locker rooms, practice sessions are being cut short, and players are battling through sweat-soaked jerseys.
The gruelling conditions have left athletes struggling to cope. Atlético’s Marcos Llorente described the experience after a match against Paris Saint-Germain: "It’s impossible, it’s terribly hot. My toes were sore, even my toenails were hurting, I couldn’t stop or start. In the end, it’s incredible, but since it’s the same for everyone, there’s no excuse." Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca echoed the sentiment after his team cut short a practice session in Philadelphia, where temperatures also reached the 90s. "I always try to avoid excuse, I always try to be honest. It’s not about excuses, it’s about reality. It’s an excuse when it’s not hot, and we say it’s hot. That’s an excuse. But if it’s hot, it’s hot. But we are here, and we’re trying to do our best," he stated.
