Blistering temperatures spur safety worries during Benfica's upset win against Bayern Munich in Charlotte.
Sweat, Suffering, and Soccer under the Sun
Sweltering, exhausting, agonizing. That was the reality for Bayern Munich when they faced off against Benfica in Charlotte, battling a furnace-like atmosphere that blew past Munich's average summer highs.
The players gave it their all, but it was a losing battle against the relentless heat. There wasn't much they could do other than try to keep hydrated and tough it out. The mercury just refused to budge.
Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, who earned the Man of the Match honor, couldn't help but think about the scorching weather and how it sapped his energy.
"It was brutal," Trubin said. "But we pushed through."
Shocking Upset for Bayern Munich
The underdogs from Benfica claimed victory, 1-0, over Bayern Munich in Charlotte during the group stage of the FIFA Club World Cup. This marked a historic first for Benfica, as they've never before bested Bayern Munich.
The two clubs collided in Charlotte during a heatwave that's been scorching the East Coast. The match kicked off at 3 p.m., with the teams squaring off in what felt like a sweltering 105 degrees. This game was the second of four matches Charlotte will host this month.
All of this is a prelude to the 2026 World Cup, which will take place across North America. The tournament aims to appeal to both American and European audiences, with games on U.S. soil and European schedules.
However, this appeal to both audiences has brought about an unforeseen consequence: clubs competing in conditions many have never experienced before.
The National Weather Service in Charlotte issued a heat advisory, urging caution for those spending time outside. The advisory encouraged limiting strenuous activity during early morning to evening, wearing lightweight and loose-fitting clothing, and staying in the shade.
Tuesday may have been sweltering, but temperatures on Wednesday were expected to soar to 100 degrees, with a heat index of 110.
FIFA has regulations in place for extreme heat, mandating cooling breaks when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, a measure of temperature and humidity, reaches 89.6 degrees. These breaks take place around the 30th and 75th minutes to help players recover from heat stress.
Aside from these breaks, FIFA has no additional rules regarding extreme weather. The organization encourages clubs to use heat acclimation, cooling techniques, and remaining hydrated to combat the heat. During Tuesday’s game, Bayern's substitutes opted to stay in the locker rooms rather than on the benches.
The brutal heat is affecting teams across the nation, including those participating in other FIFA Cup matches. Borussia Dortmund, for example, had to take their substitute players indoors during their match in Cincinnati on Sunday due to temperatures near 90 degrees.
In Charlotte, the Mecklenburg Emergency Medical Services Agency took steps to ensure the safety of fans during the event, deploying a special operations team around the stadium. Utility task vehicles and mass casualty vehicles were on standby. Information on avoiding heat illnesses was shared through social media and various media outlets partnered with Mecklenburg.
"It can make for a challenging environment," Lester Oliva, public information specialist and paramedic, said. "And so, these people are gonna call 911. If we don't have these special operation assets here to help take some of that pressure off, it becomes a challenge for everybody."
Still, in an open-air stadium with scant shade, players and fans had to grit their teeth and bear it. People seeking relief fled to the concourse during halftime and cooling breaks. During short stoppages, players tried to catch their breath with their hands on their knees, hoping to find some temporary relief.
During the 39th minute, Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni went down without contact. Trainers attended to him with towels, water, and ice. Medical care was constant for players on the sidelines.
"You could tell it was extremely tough conditions," Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany said.
Temperatures will remain in the 90s for the next two games in Charlotte. Teams, fans, and organizers will continue to adapt to the extreme conditions as concerns about the heat and safety grow with the World Cup fast approaching.
In the face of the relentless, sweltering heat, European leagues found themselves in unfamiliar territory, as the FIFA Club World Cup matches, including that of Bayern Munich against Benfica in Charlotte, were played under conditions many had never experienced before. Amid the heatwave scorching the East Coast, players and spectators persisted, bracing for the anticipated 100-degree temperatures and heat index of 110 on Wednesday, all while adapting to the extreme conditions ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
