Contemplating a shift in the 2026 World Cup schedule to match Qatar's December hosting?
In the ongoing 2025 World Club Championship in America, extreme weather conditions have caused a series of disruptions, with games being affected by heat reaching up to 40 degrees and thunderstorms. The tournament, which features a 32-team format, has seen six games paused or stopped due to lightning storms, prioritising safety over schedule adherence.
One of the most significant interruptions occurred in the round of 16 match between Chelsea and Benfica, where the game was suspended for 1 hour 57 minutes after 85 minutes 30 seconds of play. The suspension resulted in a penalty for Chelsea, which they converted to tie the game 1:1 in the 5th minute of added time. Interestingly, while waiting out a storm in Nashville, Benfica secured a victory against Bayern (1:0) in Charlotte, ensuring both European teams a spot in the round of 16.
Another affected match was the encounter between Pachuca and Salzburg, which was halted for 1 hour 38 minutes after 54 minutes of play and ended with a score of 1:2. The match between Boca Juniors and Oakland City in Nashville was interrupted for 53 minutes after 54 minutes of play and ended with a score of 1:1.
The "lightning law" in the US sports arena events mandates that matches are immediately halted and all participants must move to covered facilities if lightning strikes within a 10-mile radius of a stadium. This rule has caused some frustration among coaches, with Enzo Maresca, the main coach of Chelsea, expressing dissatisfaction, calling the suspension "unacceptable" and a "mockery".
Despite these disruptions, the tournament has progressed, with the group stage and round of 16 now completed. The final matches of each group started simultaneously, but this does not guarantee that they will end simultaneously due to the unpredictable weather conditions.
As the tournament moves forward, teams will need to adapt to the challenging weather conditions and navigate around any potential delays or suspensions caused by lightning storms. Fans and players alike will be hoping for clear skies and a smooth run to the finals.
Bookmakers across the world are closely monitoring the final stages of the 2025 World Club Championship, as unpredictable weather conditions continue to disrupt games. coach Enzo Maresca of Chelsea, whose game against Benfica was suspended due to lightning, has voiced his concern, calling the delay "unacceptable" and a "mockery". In the meanwhile, football enthusiasts around sportsbooks are eagerly waiting for clear skies and a smooth run to the finals, hoping for less disruptions in the upcoming matches.
