- The City of Philadelphia has announced a 'Heat Health Emergency' lasting for four days.
- Chelsea face ES Tunis in Philadelphia next week where it could reach 39 degrees
- Catch All Club World Cup Matches Livestreamed on DAZN. Subscribe Today.
Chelsea were alerted about the risks of playing under sweltering 39°C temperatures on Tuesday evening — as Philadelphia announced a 'Heat Health Emergency' before the London team’s upcoming match. Club World Cup clash.
Enzo Maresca ’s team is using Philly as their training base and they will face the Tunisian club ES Tunis in their final group stage match. Philadelphia Eagles Lincoln Financial Field, where local temperatures Pennsylvania 'Singapore' s biggest city is expected to see soaring numbers.
Juventus will encounter Wydad from Morocco at the same venue this afternoon at midday, coinciding with when Philadelphia’s emergency measures will come into effect.
One of their guidelines includes a caution to 'stay away from the hot sun or other warm places as much as you can' when working or playing.
Yesterday, FIFA informed Mail Sports that they have been consulting with medical professionals from Club World Cup teams about the increasing temperatures and humidity levels. Their main focus remains ensuring the safety of all participants.
Maresca has had to adjust to the conditions by reducing the playing time for Chelsea players who have a history of muscle injuries. Reece James and Romeo Lavia. The squad were having a rest day yesterday, with the Blues trying to manage workloads.
While Chelsea’s victory against Los Angeles FC took place at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium — with its enclosed ceiling and large air conditioning systems making it seem as though they were playing inside a refrigerator — the Lincoln Financial Field is an open-air stadium. These two arenas will both host matches during the 2026 World Cup, which will occur in mid-summer in the U.S., under similar conditions.
Thomas Tuchel, who manages England, is presently in the United States and visited Miami last Friday. There he witnessed Bayern Munich defeat Boca Juniors with a score of 2-1, where Harry Kane scored first for his team. According to sources within the Football Association, Tuchel’s main focus during this trip seems to be inspecting various facilities and potential training grounds rather than evaluating how well players handle the intense heat.
After Bayern secured their victory, Kane commented that England’s players stand to gain significantly from experiencing the weather conditions at an earlier stage. "The ability to adjust is crucial," he remarked. "This is a fantastic opportunity for myself and several other English players participating this year as well as those set to play next summer."
'There's always an extraordinary element to these World Cup matches, and this will continue next year. Once you step off that field, drenched in sweat with muscles cramped from exertion, having left it all out there, there's a distinct sense of satisfaction, particularly when victory is yours.'
'We (the England players) aren’t currently in contact with one another, but we plan to discuss this during future camps — how we adjusted to the situation and what training techniques we employed.'
'Everything here is valuable preparation since next summer will surely be challenging. We have to leverage these experiences for an edge.'
Kane and Tuchel would have observed that teams from South America handled the heat more effectively compared to their European rivals. At this Club World Cup, Botafogo defeated Paris Saint-Germain, and Flamengo triumphed over Chelsea.
Flamengo coach Filipe Luis, who previously played for Chelsea as a left-back, acknowledged that his team members are better adapted to the local conditions. "At times, the weather can be challenging for them," he mentioned about teams from Europe. "However, South American clubs remain highly competitive, and the strongest side doesn’t necessarily triumph in the Copa Libertadores. The pitch types vary along with elevations, which means we’ve had numerous adjustments to make and we're accustomed to these challenges."
The Philadelphia authorities have established a 'Heatline' allowing individuals who require assistance to call for support, including access to cooling centers and house calls from specialized field teams. Additionally, the Office of Homeless Services has announced a 'Code Red'. Residents are being urged to keep an eye on their acquaintances and family members.
FIFA informed Mail Sports, "The primary focus for FIFA remains the well-being of all individuals associated with football. Medical specialists from FIFA have consistently communicated with teams competing in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup regarding strategies for managing high temperatures and adapting to them."
'FIFA has additionally stationed medical personnel who collaborate closely with local healthcare providers to tackle crucial health issues, such as managing heat-related concerns.'
'Following the successful implementation at earlier events and as outlined in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Rules, FIFA will be adopting a robust preventive strategy across all locations. This includes scheduled break times for heat mitigation during matches, specifically at the 30-minute mark and again at the 75-minute point, adhering strictly to established guidelines.'
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