Chelsea Midfielder Urges FIFA to Reconsider Kick-Off Times for Player Safety
Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez has voiced serious concerns about the extreme heat during the Club World Cup, calling conditions “very dangerous” just days before the final against Paris Saint-Germain.
The 24-year-old Argentina international is the latest in a growing number of players and coaches urging FIFA to rethink scheduling ahead of the 2026 Men’s World Cup, set to be held across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
“I Got Dizzy Playing” – Fernandez Details Conditions
Fernandez described how the searing temperatures affected his health and performance during recent matches in the U.S., including moments of dizziness on the pitch.
“The heat is incredible,” Fernandez said on Friday. “The other day I got a little dizzy from playing and I had to go on the ground. The truth is, playing at that time is very dangerous. It’s very dangerous.”
He also warned that the quality of football suffers under such conditions.
“The speed of play is not the same. Everything becomes very slow,” he added. “Let’s hope for next year they change the times so, more than anything, the football continues to be nice and attractive.”
Heatwave Sparks Debate Over Scheduling
With summer temperatures soaring across the U.S., FIFA’s decision to schedule mid-afternoon kick-offs has come under scrutiny. While those slots are optimal for European and Asian TV audiences, they expose players to peak heat levels.
Chelsea defender Levi Colwill acknowledged the challenge but took a pragmatic stance.
“Everyone’s playing in the heat,” he said. “Both teams are playing in the heat, so we can’t really make excuses. You just got to handle it the best way you can.”
During matches, players have frequently been seen using cooling towels, and some substitutes have remained indoors to avoid the heat. Hydration breaks have also been introduced in both halves as a precaution.
FIFA Responds but Emphasises Adaptation
FIFA’s Technical Study Group, led in part by former USMNT and Germany boss Jurgen Klinsmann, addressed media this week in Manhattan. Klinsmann acknowledged the difficult conditions but argued that adaptability is part of tournament football.
“The heat is difficult. If you play in 90-degree heat, then you are going to suffer,” Klinsmann said. “But you have to deal with the circumstances. Football is about being able to adapt.”
Klinsmann, who coached the U.S. at the 2014 World Cup and played in the 1994 edition, pointed to other tournaments held in extreme conditions, such as Qatar 2022, where adjustments were also necessary.
Final to Be Played in Sweltering Conditions
The Club World Cup final between Chelsea and PSG is set for 3pm local time on Sunday, with temperatures expected to reach 85°F (29°C) under partly cloudy skies — near peak heat for the day.
With player safety and performance under the spotlight, calls for revised scheduling in 2026 are only expected to grow louder.