Club World Cup heat ‘very dangerous’ – Fernandez

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez said he has felt “dizzy” while playing in “very dangerous” heat at the Club World Cup in the United States.

The 24-year-old has featured in all six of Chelsea’s matches en route to the final against Paris St-Germain in New Jersey on Sunday.

Three of Chelsea’s games were played in temperatures described as “extreme heat”, with local weather warnings urging people against involvement in strenuous physical activity or being outside.

In New Jersey, where Sunday’s final takes place, temperatures have reached 38C in recent days.

Manager Enzo Maresca has complained it is “impossible” to have a normal training session because of the heat, despite reaching the final of the lucrative and newly-expanded tournament.

When asked about the experience of playing at the Club World Cup, Fernandez said: “Honestly, the heat is incredible. The other day I had to lie down on the ground because I was really dizzy.

“Playing in this temperature is very dangerous, it’s very dangerous. Moreover, for the spectacle, for the people who come to enjoy the stadium, for the people who watch it at home.

“The game, the speed of the game is not the same, everything becomes very slow.”

Players and managers have also complained about afternoon kick-off times throughout the tournament, which are designed in part to help TV audiences in Europe and Africa watch matches at convenient times.

Fernandez, who is likely to be in Argentina’s squad at the 2026 World Cup across North America, added: “Well, let’s hope that next year they change the schedule, at least so that it remains a beautiful and attractive football spectacle, right?”