Club World Cup Weather Woes: Maresca’s Humorous Take and a Stern Warning for 2026

It was a long, frustrating day for Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s coach. A major storm in Charlotte forced a nearly two-hour delay during the Club World Cup match against Benfica. After Chelsea’s eventual 4-1 win in extra time, Maresca didn’t hold back. “It’s a joke,” he said, expressing his displeasure over the need to suspend play multiple times throughout the tournament.

Maresca raised an important point: this was the sixth delay in the competition. "If you have to stop so many games, something isn’t working,” he stated. He didn’t shy away from saying that these interruptions disrupt the flow of the game and are unusual in top-tier football.

After the stoppage, Chelsea was winning 1-0 when play resumed. Benfica quickly equalized, sending the match into extra time. Maresca emphasized that such delays disrupt a team’s rhythm. He questioned whether the U.S. was the right place for such a prestigious tournament, given the weather challenges.

With the Club World Cup underway, concerns have arisen about event management and safety protocols for the upcoming 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Historically, extreme weather hasn’t stopped many matches. For instance, during the 1994 World Cup in the U.S., daytime temperatures soared, leading to serious health concerns. A memorable game reached 105°F (40.6°C), raising eyebrows on scheduling matches in the summer.

Public awareness of weather issues is growing. A recent survey found that 78% of sports fans worry about weather conditions impacting sporting events. As Maresca expressed his frustrations, many fans took to social media to support him, creating trending discussions online about the reliability of hosting major tournaments during peak summer months.

On the bright side, after the delay, the intensity of the game increased. Benfica came back aggressively, thrilling fans who stayed. Chelsea’s late-game strategy turned into a showcase of resilience, leading to a flood of goals that ultimately won them the match.

The storm-related interruptions have some wondering if FIFA will reconsider how to handle future tournaments. If these issues persist, will enthusiasm for hosting events like the World Cup be affected? Everyone from fans to broadcasters hopes for smoother sailing as future events approach.

Maresca’s outspokenness is a reminder that while the game is about competition, logistical challenges can change everything. For Chelsea, the focus now shifts to their next match against Palmeiras, but how weather will impact the tournament’s flow remains to be seen.

In short, as big events near, fans, players, and organizers will need to navigate these weather hurdles. With lessons learned from this tournament, there’s hope that the World Cup experience will be smoother. For more on FIFA’s considerations for upcoming tournaments, check out FIFA’s official reports.

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Chelsea, FIFA Club World Cup, International Football, Men's World Cup, Premier League, Soccer, Sports Business