Adverse weather conditions in the US raise concerns ahead of FIFA World Cup

The FIFA Club World Cup, held in the USA, continues with the last 16 matches. The matches that were postponed due to 'adverse weather conditions' in the tournament that started on June 15th have come before the tournament. While some matches started with delays due to adverse weather conditions, others were stopped by the referees shortly before the end of normal time. The Ulsan - Mamelodi Sundowns match, which was originally scheduled to be played on June 18th at 01:00 GMT, started with a 1-hour delay due to a thunderstorm warning. The empty stands in this match played in Orlando between the South Korean and South African teams were also criticized.

A storm warning was also issued for the match between Palmeiras and Al Ahly in the second week of Group A. A water break was given in the first and second half of the match due to the hot weather, and a warning message was displayed on the scoreboard in the 61st minute. The match was suspended due to heavy rain and the danger of lightning, and fans were asked to move to the closed areas of the stadium. It was later announced that the weather was not a threat and fans began to settle back into the stands. English referee Anthony Taylor also came onto the field with the players of both teams and played the match.

A similar situation occurred in the Pachuca-Salzburg match played at night. After the first half, which ended with the Austrian team leading 1-0, it was requested that 'the spectators in the stands go to the upper rows due to the danger of lightning'. The match, which was stopped due to adverse weather conditions, gained momentum after 97 minutes. Salzburg won the match with a score of 2-1.

National football players took to the field after a 2-hour wait

Benfica, with national players Orkun Kökçü and Kerem Aktürkoğlu, faced Auckland City, who participated in the tournament from New Zealand. The Portuguese team found consecutive chances against their weak opponent, and entered the locker room leading 1-0 with a penalty goal in extra time. It was announced that the second half would start late due to adverse weather conditions at the Inter & Co Stadium in Orlando. After a wait of approximately 2 hours, the teams took to the field, and Benfica won the match 6-0.

The US National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a 3-day high temperature warning for the city ahead of the match between Boca Juniors and Auckland City in Nashville on Tuesday, June 24. While the powerful Argentine team Boca faced off against Auckland City, Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg sent both teams to the locker room in the 55th minute with the score tied at 1-1. On the other hand, it was learned that a flood warning was issued for the hours the match would be played. The match was completed with a 40-minute delay following the thunderstorm. A water break was also given in the first half of the match.

This situation, which caused great repercussions and debates in the world of football, continued in the last 16 round of the tournament. The Benfica-Chelsea match, which was played between two important teams in Europe and refereed by Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic, was stopped in the 86th minute due to a storm warning and lightning. The match, which regained momentum after approximately 2 hours, went to extra time, and the English team left the field with a score of 4-1. The match was completed in a total of 4 hours and 40 minutes.

World Cup on mind

In the Club World Cup matches played in hot weather and high humidity, referees gave water breaks to the players, while in some matches substitute players watched the match from the locker room. Technical directors also sometimes rotate players in the USA, where they go with a large squad. These disruptions in the tournament brought to mind the World Cup to be held next year.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico between June 11 and July 19. The matches of the World Cup to be held in the USA will be played in the cities of Los Angeles, Boston, New York, Dallas, Miami, Kansas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Seattle and San Francisco.

UAV

Reporter: News Center