Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has raised critical issues concerning the excessive warmth gamers are going through on the Membership World Cup in the US, describing the situations as “very harmful.”
The Argentine has featured in all six of Chelsea’s matches throughout the match, with three of these happening in what native authorities categorized as “excessive warmth”.
Temperatures in New York, the situation of Sunday’s ultimate between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, have not too long ago soared to 38°C (100°F), making common coaching and match preparation tough for gamers and coaches alike.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has voiced his frustrations, saying the climate has made it “inconceivable” to conduct correct coaching classes regardless of his crew’s profitable run to the ultimate of the revamped, profitable match.
Fernandez has additionally opened up concerning the toll it’s taken on the gamers.
“Truthfully, the warmth is unimaginable. The opposite day I needed to lie down on the bottom as a result of I used to be actually dizzy,” he instructed reporters.
“Taking part in on this temperature may be very harmful, it’s very harmful. Furthermore, for the spectacle, for the individuals who come to benefit from the stadium, for the individuals who watch it at house.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has stated the warmth throughout Membership World Cup matches has been “very harmful” to play in.
Fernandez has described feeling dizzy in matches as a result of warmth and has outlined the way it has a detrimental affect on the usual of matches.
“The warmth is… pic.twitter.com/6edghao8sM
— The Athletic | Soccer (@TheAthleticFC) July 11, 2025
“The sport, the velocity of the sport just isn’t the identical, every thing turns into very gradual.”
The extreme afternoon warmth has additionally sparked criticism over match scheduling. Many video games have kicked off early within the day to accommodate TV audiences in Europe and Africa – a transfer that some argue prioritises business issues over participant welfare.
Fernandez, who is predicted to characteristic for Argentina on the 2026 World Cup hosted throughout North America, added: “Nicely, let’s hope that subsequent 12 months they modify the schedule, not less than in order that it stays a stupendous and enticing soccer spectacle, proper?”
FIFA, in a current assertion, acknowledged the seriousness of the difficulty and outlined some steps it has taken to handle participant security.
“Warmth situations are a critical subject that have an effect on soccer globally.
“On the Membership World Cup some important and progressive measures are being taken to guard the gamers from the warmth. As an illustration, cooling breaks had been carried out in 31 out of 54 matches to this point.
“Discussions on cope with warmth situations must happen collectively and FIFA stands able to facilitate this dialogue, together with by the duty pressure on participant welfare, and to obtain constructive enter from all stakeholders on additional improve warmth administration.
“In all of this, the safety of gamers have to be on the centre.”
