From sweltering heat to powerful thunderstorms, the Club World Cup in the United States is taking place in conditions that seriously disrupt the competition schedule, forcing organizers and teams to make constant changes.
Four matches have been canceled so far due to adverse weather conditions, and a new heat wave is expected next week, HINA reported.
The second half of the match between Benfica and Oakland in Orlando started more than two hours late due to heavy rain and a storm.
The match between Mamelodi and Ulsan in the same city was delayed by more than an hour, while long breaks were also recorded in the duels between Palmeiras and Al Ahly in New Jersey (40 minutes), as well as Salzburg and Pachuca in Cincinnati (90 minutes).
The American association "Fossil Free Football" announced that extremely high temperatures are expected for the next 10 games, which could reach 41 degrees.
The most difficult conditions are predicted in Charlotte, where temperatures of 38 and 41 degrees are forecast for the Real Madrid - Pachuca and Benfica - Bayern matches, respectively.
"Many players expecting to play in the 2026 World Cup can already feel what awaits them. Extreme heat could become the most dangerous rival in the tournament, especially with many matches scheduled before 17pm," Dr Chris Tyler, an environmental physiologist at the University of Roehampton and an expert on heat stress in elite sport, told the BBC.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), 75 percent of lightning-related deaths in the last 10 years occurred between June and August.
Tournament organizers are implementing strict safety protocols to protect players and spectators - if lightning strikes within 16 kilometers of the stadium, the match will automatically be suspended.
"We ask for your attention. For everyone's safety, please leave the stands and take shelter inside the stadium due to poor weather conditions in the area," read the message broadcast on large screens.
The match director informs the referee, who then stops play. The continuation of the match depends on the storm monitoring, and the time spent off the field also affects the length of the warm-up period before the resumption.
Fifa said the health of all participants is a priority, and its medical experts are in regular contact with clubs to help manage challenges such as heat and adaptation to weather conditions.
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