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Weather Woes: Is the Club World Cup in the Wrong Place?

USASun Jun 29 2025
The Club World Cup is facing some serious weather issues. Chelsea's coach, Enzo Maresca, isn't happy. He thinks the delays are a joke. He's not wrong. The tournament has had six weather delays. That's a lot! The latest was in Charlotte. It delayed Chelsea's game against Benfica by almost two hours. Maresca has a point. He says it's not football when games keep stopping. He's right. It's hard to stay focused when you're stuck inside for hours. The players can't keep the same energy. It's not fair to them or the fans. But it's not just Charlotte. Other cities have had delays too. Cincinnati, Orlando, and New Jersey. All of them have had weather problems. Maresca thinks maybe these cities aren't the best places for big tournaments. The weather isn't just a problem for the Club World Cup. It could be an issue for the World Cup too. Experts say thunderstorms are common this time of year in the U. S. So, more delays might be coming. Chelsea won their game. But that's not the point. The point is, the tournament needs to think about where it's played. Maybe cities with better weather or stadiums with roofs would help. Otherwise, players and fans will keep getting frustrated.

questions

    What measures could be taken to minimize weather-related delays in football tournaments held in cities prone to sudden storms?
    If the weather delays continue, should FIFA consider issuing players with umbrellas and raincoats as part of their kits?
    How do weather delays impact player performance and the overall quality of the game?

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