The half-time break in Benfica's match against Auckland City ended up lasting around two-and-a-half hours 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 ofBenfica's Group C game against Auckland Citykicked 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. 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." PSG and Atletico players struggled with the heat at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California Fossil Free Football say: "Particular concern is for the fixtures in the no-shade stadium in Charlotte where a heat index of 38C (Real Madrid v Pachuca) and 41C (Benfica v Bayern) is forecast for the next two matches. "This underlines the dangers facing players and fans at this tournament and in 2026. Fifa have done very little to allay safety concerns." The game between New Zealand part-timers Auckland City and Boca Juniors is also due to take place in 41C in Nashville at a ground with limited cover. Matches in Philadelphia, New York, Cincinnati and Washington DC will also be played in the anticipated heatwave. AfterAtletico's 4-0 defeat by Paris St-Germainin 32C in Pasadena, Marcos Llorente said it was "terribly hot" and added "my toes were sore, my nails were hurting... it's incredible". Fans spoke of having to leave that game because of the heat - and complained about long queues and restrictions of water when arriving at the stadium. A Fifa statement read: "Fifa's top priority is the health of everyone involved in football, and Fifa's medical experts have been in regular contact with the clubs participating to address heat management and acclimatisation." The governing body added there will continue to be cooling breaks in the 30th and 75th minute where needed - and that fans are allowed to bring empty clear bottles of up to one litre into stadiums. Chelsea, who are one of two English teams competing along with Manchester City, beat Los Angeles FC in their opener but thenlost 3-1 to Flamengo on Friday. "It's not easy because of the temperature," said boss Enzo Maresca. "We're going to try to rotate players." Fans at several games - including Palmeiras v Al-Ahly - have had to leave their seats and go inside the stadium during storms As well as the danger posed by the heat to players, staff and supporters, from a scheduling point of view there will be concerns about the delays to games. Four of the first 21 games faced waits ranging from 40 minutes to two-and-a-half hours for thunder and lightning storms and heavy rain. Broadcasters will not be happy with the potential for overlapping matches at the 2026 World Cup. Benfica v Auckland City was due to conclude an hour before Chelsea's match against Flamengo started - but ended up finishing well after the final whistle had been blownin the Blues' defeat. "This is the longest game of my career," said Benfica coach Bruno Lage. "A special thanks to our fans, who have been here for five hours supporting the team. "We played as well as we could. The temperature made it very difficult."
Weather causing increasing concern at Club World Cup
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"FIFA Club World Cup Faces Weather-Related Delays and Safety Concerns"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
The FIFA Club World Cup has recently faced significant disruptions due to adverse weather conditions, raising concerns over player safety and match scheduling. In a notable incident, the half-time break in Benfica's match against Auckland City extended to approximately two-and-a-half hours due to thunderstorms in Orlando, Florida. This delay was not an isolated event; it followed similar postponements for other matches, such as Mamelodi Sundowns versus Ulsan HD, which was delayed by over an hour, and significant interruptions during the second halves of Palmeiras versus Al-Ahly and Salzburg versus Pachuca, which experienced delays of 40 and 90 minutes, respectively. The situation has prompted campaign group Fossil Free Football to highlight that upcoming matches in the tournament could face extreme heat risks, with temperatures potentially soaring to 41 degrees Celsius next week. Compounding these issues is the impending 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, which is likely to face similar weather challenges.
FIFA has acknowledged the weather-related difficulties, asserting that it will continue to monitor conditions in collaboration with venue teams to ensure the safety of players and fans. Players from teams like Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid have reported struggles with the heat, with some fans forced to leave matches due to high temperatures and inadequate access to water. The organization has implemented measures such as cooling breaks during matches and allowing fans to bring empty clear water bottles into stadiums. However, the ongoing weather issues pose significant logistical challenges, as match delays could disrupt broadcasting schedules, particularly with overlapping games anticipated during the 2026 World Cup. Benfica's coach, Bruno Lage, expressed gratitude to fans for their patience amid the lengthy delays, underscoring the physical toll that such extreme conditions can impose on both players and supporters alike.
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