"Is this soccer? I don't understand."
Chelsea's Enzo Maresca expressed frustration over the weather anomalies experienced at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Heatwaves, thunderstorms, issues with spectator turnout, traffic congestion, and grass problems all contributed. The tournament, held as a rehearsal for the 2026 North America World Cup, left a clear message for FIFA.
The British 'BBC' spotlighted a month-long tournament held across the United States centered around the question, "What lessons did this Club World Cup leave for FIFA?" In fact, the five venues used for the tournament (Atlanta Mercedes-Benz, Miami Hard Rock, New Jersey MetLife, Philadelphia Lincoln Financial, Seattle Lumen) are all designated for the 2026 World Cup.
Thunderstorms that interrupted matches, players overheating, detection dogs in Crocs
The weather was the biggest variable of this tournament. According to U.S. regulations, matches must be suspended if a thunderstorm is detected within a 10-mile (approximately 16 km) radius, and matches can only resume 30 minutes after the last lightning strike.
As a result, a total of six matches were delayed, with the delay time for two games, including Chelsea-Benfica, exceeding 2 hours. In particular, SL Benfica experienced lengthy wait times in both matches against Oakland and Chelsea. Maresca expressed dissatisfaction, stating, "This is not soccer. If this many matches are interrupted, then this place is not suitable for hosting a tournament in the first place."
The heatwave was also a problem. In New York, temperatures soared to 39°C, with the perceived temperature exceeding 50°C. A drug detection dog walking on the concrete floor in Philadelphia wore 'Crocs' to prevent burns.
Due to concerns about heatstroke, each club had to reduce training times, and Juventus's Igor Tudor noted, "Ten of our players requested substitutions during the match against Real Madrid." Borussia Dortmund's bench even watched the first half from the locker room to avoid direct sunlight.
In this regard, FIFA's head of technical development, Arsène Wenger, stated, "In 2026, there will be five domed stadiums, and we plan to adjust match times. We are examining options to avoid the hottest times of day."
Spectator turnout was a 'partial success'… weekday afternoon games, high ticket prices
Despite the justification of being a 'dress rehearsal for the World Cup', it is hard to say that this tournament succeeded in attracting spectators. The Chelsea-PSG final drew 81,118 people, but only 3,412 attended the match between Ulsan and Mamelodi Sundowns. Matches with fewer than 10,000 spectators occurred in four games.
American journalist Doug Robertson analyzed, "It's not that people don't like soccer. Who would come to a game held on a Monday at 3 p.m.?" He added, "Many are also saving money ahead of the World Cup."
FIFA's 'dynamic ticket policy' was a core issue of controversy. Tickets for the Chelsea-Fluminense semifinal were initially priced at £350 (about 620,000 won) but plummeted to around £10 (about 18,000 won) just before the match. Tickets for the quarter-final against Palmeiras dropped to £8, and it is reported that fans who purchased them initially paid over £250.
Travel was inconvenient, the grass was like 'a putting green'
The BBC reported, "The scale of the United States as a country itself made travel inconvenient. It took 20 to 30 minutes on foot to reach the entrance of MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where the tournament final was held, even after arriving by train." In fact, the semi-final match between Real Madrid and PSG was delayed due to both teams being stuck in traffic.
Moreover, Hard Rock Stadium had no public transportation routes. After the match, access to Uber or taxis was also prohibited, requiring fans to walk 20 minutes to the pickup zone.
In contrast, Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium was regarded as the 'most ideal stadium' with a dome, large LED screens, and good public transportation access.
Grass issues also arose. The BBC explained, "Although FIFA converted most NFL stadiums with artificial turf to natural grass, the short preparation time meant the quality did not meet expectations." In fact, Dortmund's Niko Kovač pointed out, "The grass we played on was like a putting green. It was too short and dry, making it unsuitable for fast-paced soccer."
The BBC stated, "There are structural limitations to ensuring consistent grass quality across the diverse climates of the United States," and reported that FIFA would set a longer 'bed-in' period ahead of the World Cup.
Security was 'Trump-level', media access double-checked
The strongest security at this tournament was at the final attended by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Snipers were positioned on rooftops at MetLife Stadium, and multiple layers of security checks, along with detection dogs and bomb squads, were employed, which required the media to undergo multiple identity verifications. In Miami, where the opening match was held, police cars bearing terror warning signs surrounded the stadium.
Personnel from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection were also deployed, and FIFA is expected to maintain this level of security for future World Cups.
"It was a certifiable test, and there were many lessons learned"
Michael Brown, former midfielder for Tottenham and Manchester City, told the BBC in an interview, "This tournament was undoubtedly a strong test for the 2026 World Cup," adding, "The level of awareness people have of soccer has improved compared to the past, but it is still not a main sport in the U.S. More improvements are needed."
FIFA felt the issues of climate, culture, and infrastructure in the U.S. more realistically through this tournament, and it is expected to have a significant impact on the direction of preparations for next year's World Cup. To shed the label of being a 'soccer backwater', the remaining year will not be short for both FIFA and the U.S.
[OSEN]