Extreme Heat Concerns at the Club World Cup
As temperatures soar in the United States, players and coaching staff participating in the Club World Cup have voiced apprehension about the extreme heat and humidity affecting their performance. Tijjani Reijnders, a midfielder for Manchester City, acknowledged the players’ concerns regarding the sweltering summer conditions as they prepare for their opening match against Moroccan club Wydad AC on Wednesday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Scheduled to start at noon ET, the game is expected to take place under relentless sunshine with temperatures surpassing 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Manchester City’s Preparation
In an effort to acclimate the team to the conditions, Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, has been conducting rigorous training sessions amidst the heat in Boca Raton, Florida. One recent practice extended nearly two hours, with the temperature soaring beyond 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Reijnders is optimistic about the team’s readiness, emphasizing their commitment to each tournament.
“It’s going to be tough, given the quality of teams in the competition and the high temperatures,” Reijnders stated. “We are adapting to it, and we will come prepared for Wednesday. We take this very seriously and aim to win every tournament we enter. This is no different.”
Other Teams Face Similar Challenges
Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning Champions League winners, recently experienced a challenging match against Atlético Madrid in similar heat. The game ended with PSG triumphing 4-0 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, where temperatures were around 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Atlético midfielder Marcos Llorente remarked on how the conditions affected his performance, stating:
“It’s impossible. It’s terribly hot. My toes were sore, my nails were hurting. I couldn’t stop or start. However, since everyone is dealing with the same situation, there’s no room for complaints.”
PSG’s manager Luis Enrique concurred, highlighting that the midday match timing was detrimental to the players’ endurance.
“The match was clearly influenced by the temperature. While it suits European fans, the teams are certainly suffering,”
Real Madrid’s Training Adaptation
Meanwhile, Real Madrid held their first training session at their Florida base on Sunday ahead of their match against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, also slated for Wednesday. During the high-temperature practice, new head coach Xabi Alonso was seen creatively cooling down by running his hands through sprinklers and using ice cubes.
FIFA’s Protocols for Heat Management
FIFA has established protocols to address the challenges posed by high temperatures during the Club World Cup since 2014, permitting teams to take “cooling breaks” for additional hydration during each half if the average pitch temperature exceeds 32 degrees Celsius (89.6 degrees Fahrenheit). However, issues with heat-related dehydration were noted during last year’s Copa América held in the U.S., highlighting ongoing concerns about player welfare in such extreme conditions.
