Enzo Fernandez Calls U.S. Heat 'Dangerous' Ahead Of Club World Cup Final

Last Updated:July 12, 2025, 23:22 IST

Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez called the U.S. heat "dangerous" before the Club World Cup final against PSG. Extreme temperatures have affected player performance and fan experience.

Enzo Fernandez training with his Chelsea teammates (X)

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has raised serious concerns about the extreme heat conditions players are enduring at the expanded Club World Cup in the United States, calling them “dangerous" and detrimental to both performance and fan experience.

The inaugural 32-team Club World Cup, which concludes on Sunday with Chelsea facing Paris Saint-Germain in the final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, has drawn attention not just for the football on show but also for alarming weather conditions and underwhelming crowd attendance.

During Chelsea’s semi-final against Fluminense on Tuesday, temperatures in New Jersey soared above 35°C (95°F) with humidity exceeding 54%, triggering a National Weather Service heat warning.

Soaring temperatures in several cities hosting the Club World Cup have been a focal point in the tournament, which is seen as a dry run for next year’s men’s World Cup.

“Honestly, the heat is incredible. The other day I had to lie down on the ground because I was really dizzy," Fernandez told reporters.

“Playing in this temperature is very dangerous—for players and for the spectacle itself. Everything slows down."

The Argentine World Cup winner urged scheduling changes for future tournaments: “Let’s hope next year they change the schedule so that it remains a beautiful and attractive football spectacle."

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca had previously voiced similar frustration, describing afternoon training in Philadelphia as “impossible" due to the oppressive heat.

Defender Levi Colwill echoed the sentiment, saying he felt for teammates struggling during matches: “The last round was so hot. I was watching and thinking: ‘Wow, this is so tough.’"

Chelsea are set to face Paris Saint-Germain in the final on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, with player welfare and tournament planning now firmly in the spotlight.

(with Reuters inputs)

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

Read More

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