Weather issues are causing havoc at the Club World Cup and Manchester City will face difficult conditions for both of their games this week.
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Phil Foden
Phil Foden cools himself down during City's win in Philadelphia last week
Manchester City will play two games at the Club World Cup during an American heatwave this week, but they could avoid the worse of the conditions as the group stage reaches its conclusion.
The Blues face Al Ain in Atlanta on Sunday night and temperatures will still be 30 degrees when the match kicks off at 8pm. They then face Juventus in Orlando on Thursday, with that game beginning at 3pm local time.
Temperatures in Orlando are forecast to hit 34 degrees during the game, but it looks like the storms set to hit the region will only arrive on Friday.
So far four matches have been delayed or interrupted due to storms, with the second half of Benfica vs Auckland City on Friday delayed for two hours due to heavy rain and lightning.
While the City players will face a gruelling examination in the heat, they are set to avoid the most exacting conditions, with campaign group Fossil Free Football raising concerns about even more extreme temperatures.
"Particular concern is for the fixtures in the no-shade stadium in Charlotte where a heat index of 38C (Real Madrid v Pachuca) and 41C (Benfica v Bayern) is forecast for the next two matches," they said.
"This underlines the dangers facing players and fans at this tournament and in 2026. Fifa have done very little to allay safety concerns. [They] have shown next to no understanding of what heat dangers mean for their flagship summer tournaments."
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The campaign group also raised concerns about games in Washington, with temperatures there between 38 degrees and 42 degrees this week.
City's first game of the group stage was played at 12pm in Philadelphia and although the temperatures weren't as hot, the conditions were still difficult. The tournament has so far seen complaints from numerous players and coaches about how demanding the heat has made it.
“It's difficult. First time in my life I felt heat like this,” Benfica’s Anatoliy Trubin said after his side drew with Boca Juniors in Miami Gardens.
Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique also raised concerns after his side played Atletico Madrid at the Rose Bowl, where conditions were difficult due to the heat and humidity. That game was played in the middle of the afternoon, which the Spaniard raised as an issue.
“The timing is great for European fans, but the teams are suffering," he said. After the game, Atletico Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente said of conditions: “It's impossible, it's terribly hot. My toes were sore, my toenails were hurting, I couldn't stop and start. It's unbelievable."
With the heat and humidity set to rise this week, conditions will get tougher still, and with only five substitutes allowed, it could affect the pace and quality of the games.
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