Club World Cup 2025, heat alert in the USA. “Even my nails hurt, I couldn’t stop and start again”: Llorente’s complaint

The thermometer is touching 35 degrees , the humidity is suffocating, the players are struggling. Global football has chosen to ignore the climate reality. This is demonstrated by what is happening in the United States , the scene of the first edition of the FIFA Club World Cup . While the competition takes shape and alternates decent matches with disgraceful results, a problem emerges forcefully that risks distorting the regularity and safety of the event: the extreme heat .

The protests began with those who experience the pitch firsthand. The first to denounce the situation was Marcos Llorente , midfielder for Atletico Madrid , at the end of the match against PSG played at midday in Pasadena , California. “It's impossible. It's terribly hot . My toes hurt, my nails hurt , I couldn't stop or start . It's incredible, but since it's the same for everyone, there's no reason to complain ,” he declared, with a mixture of frustration and resignation.

In 1994 , the last World Cup in the United States, the Brazil-Italy final was played in Pasadena with temperatures of 40 degrees in the shade. Today the situation is worsened by an even more extreme climate. The voice of PSG coach Luis Enrique also reinforced Llorente's complaint: "The match was clearly influenced by the heat . The time is perfect for European fans, but the teams are suffering." The coach emphasizes how the diktat of TV rights has once again prevailed over any environmental and athletic consideration.

The problem is linked to the times chosen for the matches: midday , or 3 and 6 pm local time. A schedule designed to meet the television needs of the European public, but which forces the teams to take to the field in the middle of the day, with temperatures above 30 degrees and humidity levels reaching 60-70%. Not that things are much better after sunset: at Inter Miami 's debut, at 8 pm local time, the thermometer read 28 degrees and humidity of 76%.

The scenario risks repeating itself - and with even more serious proportions - at the 2026 World Cup , which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico , in the same summer months. The cities chosen, from Dallas to Miami, from Los Angeles to Kansas City, have been struggling with increasingly scorching summers for years. Yet, FIFA continues to ignore the problem, which it thinks it can solve with a temporary " cooling break ". The gigantism of modern football, driven by business and television logic, once again shows all its fragility. The formats are expanding, the matches are multiplying, but the environmental context is systematically excluded from any reflection.