Gianni Infantino, Enzo Maresca, Chelsea
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Keith Hackett
Tue 1 July 2025 12:00, UK
FIFA could begin changing their thinking ahead of the 2026 World Cup after Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca’s comments at the Club World Cup, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that, while some stadiums across America, Mexico, and Canada have plans in place for adverse weather conditions, little can be done about delays.
With the Blues’ round of 16 clash against Benfica on Saturday, 28 June, being suspended for almost two hours, dragging the game into the early hours of the morning, emotions were at an all-time high.
Maresca lashed out at the Club World Cup weather delays, with his team’s match lasting a total of five hours before eventually winning 4-1 after Malo Gusto’s penalty concession led to extra time.
Enzo Maresca fumed after Chelsea’s Club World Cup game against Benfica took nearly five hours to complete due to a weather delay 😳 pic.twitter.com/UxeRfB3QtA
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) June 29, 2025
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Enzo Maresca raises issues over climate for the 2026 World Cup
Several matches at the Club World Cup have been suspended due to the weather, including lightning and heavy thunder, with players’ safety being put first by the referees.
Water breaks have even been implemented into the 90 minutes to allow the players to take much-needed breaks, taking on fluids, cooling down with ice packs, or even just sitting down for a few seconds.
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Football stars and supporters from all over the world are set to face similar weather conditions when the 2026 World Cup kicks off next year, and Hackett has some concerns, especially in Mexico.
Club World Cup acts as trial for upcoming World Cup
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said how Maresca’s quotes could affect FIFA’s thinking: “I’m sure this will bring forward FIFA’s thoughts for the World Cup.
“I’ve experienced such conditions in America, even having to suspend a game in Vancouver in the North American Soccer League for about an hour and a half, because the weather was intense.
“Unsurprisingly, the club had the equipment, rollers with sponges going to the side, getting rid of flood conditions. In a game that I thought might potentially be abandoned, we got finished.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino gives a press conference Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) in Doha on December 16, 2022, during the Qatar 202...
Photo by ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images
“When stadiums are designed in the future, they need to consider complete roofs like the Millennium in Cardiff and Stuttgart at the MHPArena, with the ability to close the roof.
“The last World Cup over in America was a huge success, there’s no doubt about that. It stimulated the growth of football in the country. One of the biggest concerns with Mexico, though, is the altitude.
“You need four to five days of conditioning to deal with the altitude. Players have been known to suffer from altitude sickness.”
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