Softfootball have gathered that Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández has raised concerns over the hot weather at the ongoing Club World Cup ahead of the final on Sunday.
The Chelsea and Argentina midfielder called the soaring heat at the Club World Cup “very dangerous” after suffering dizzy spells during his side’s semi-final clash with Fluminense in New Jersey.
The Argentine, who played a key role in Chelsea’s 3–1 win, admitted post-match that the conditions left him physically overwhelmed. Temperatures at MetLife Stadium peaked above 35°C with 54% humidity conditions that prompted a National Weather Service warning.
Fernández told reporters on Friday during their training session ahead of the final, as reported by Reuters.
“Honestly, the heat is incredible. The other day I had to lie on the ground because I was really dizzy. Playing in this kind of temperature is very dangerous for us, for the people in the stadium, and for those watching at home.”
The 2022 World Cup winner also expressed concern about how extreme heat affects the pace and quality of play.
“Everything becomes slower, the game isn’t the same,”
he said.
“Hopefully they change the schedule for next year for the players and for the spectacle.”
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca echoed those concerns earlier in the tournament, describing training conditions in Philadelphia as “impossible” during the afternoon hours.
Centre-back Levi Colwill also weighed in, describing the Fluminense clash as especially gruelling.
“Some places have been hot,”
he said.
“That last round was tough. I was watching and just thinking, ‘Wow, this is brutal.’ I felt for the players, but they managed it well.”
Sunday’s final between Chelsea and PSG at MetLife Stadium will conclude a tournament seen as a trial run for the 2026 World Cup, but calls for scheduling reform may only grow louder.
However, the concerns raised by Chelsea players have been countered by former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, as earlier reported by Softfootball.
On extreme heat, another hot topic this summer, Wenger confirmed that FIFA implemented cooling breaks and adjusted conditions where possible. Chelsea will be facing PSG in what has been called a trailblazing affair of a final.
