When elite footballers start worrying more about the sun than their opponents, it’s a sign something’s not right.

The FIFA Club World Cup was supposed to be a smooth preview for next year’s expanded World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Instead, it has turned into a heatwave reality check. As temperatures soar across host cities, players and coaches are struggling – not just to win, but to keep up with the conditions.

In cities like Cincinnati, Philadelphia, and Charlotte, mid-afternoon games have been played in scorching heat, often above 90F (32C). At Borussia Dortmund’s group match against Ulsan Hyundai, the game kicked off at 3 p.m. under a blazing sun. Cooling breaks were allowed, but the weather made a bigger impact than any tactical change.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca didn’t hold back after experiencing the Philadelphia heat.

“It’s impossible to organise regular training sessions in the afternoons,” he told reporters.

Atletico Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente agreed, saying the heat had affected how the team trains and prepares. Players have found it hard to recover quickly or maintain normal match sharpness.

While European sides have struggled, South American clubs – more used to hot and humid climates – have had less trouble. All four Brazilian sides in the tournament – Flamengo, Palmeiras, Botafogo, and Fluminense – made it through to the second round without much fuss. Their advantage in such conditions has become clear.

Pitch problems add to the pressure

If the weather wasn’t enough of a challenge, the playing surfaces have added another layer of difficulty. Several players and coaches have raised concerns about dry, uneven, and hard pitches at different venues – conditions that have only been made worse by the extreme heat.

The grass, drying quickly under the sun, has become tough and patchy in places, making it harder to pass, control, or dribble with confidence. For teams that rely on a fast-paced, possession-heavy style, the pitches are slowing the game down and creating more frustration.

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique didn’t mince words after his team’s 2-0 win over Seattle Sounders.

“The pitch looked good but didn’t play well,” he said.

Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham also shared his disappointment after playing in Charlotte.

“The pitches aren’t great here, honestly,” he 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. It’s important that we protect the players as well as give the fans a spectacle.”

PSG full-back Achraf Hakimi explained how the dry conditions directly affect their playing style.

“I think the most negative aspect I have experienced so far – and it’s something we can’t do anything about – is the heat,” Hakimi told The Latin Times.

“It is summer, and you can tell by how quickly the pitch dries up. With our playing style, where we like to have the ball and control the flow of the game, it slows us down when the pitch is dry.”

The Club World Cup was meant to prove that North America is ready for the big stage. Instead, it’s raising serious questions. The kick-off times for the 2026 World Cup are still under wraps, but if FIFA doesn’t make adjustments to climate and surface conditions, next year’s tournament could be remembered for the wrong reasons.

The football has arrived. Now, it’s time for the organisers to catch up – before the heat takes over the headlines again.

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