⚽ Club World Cup Group Stage Ends: Heatwaves, Thrillers, and Thunderstorms
UNITED STATES – As the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 wraps up its expanded group phase, the tournament has delivered a cocktail of drama, criticism, and controversy. From record-breaking thrashings to edge-of-your-seat shootouts, the 32-team format is proving to be as divisive as it is ambitious.
With two weeks of knockout football ahead, here are the biggest takeaways from the group stage.
🌡️ ‘Impossible’ Conditions & Thunderstorm Chaos
From the moment FIFA announced the expansion to 32 teams, alarm bells rang over player welfare. And now, those concerns have materialized in harsh reality:
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🔥 Extreme Heat:
Players endured scorching 36°C temperatures in Charlotte and a code red heat warning in Philadelphia. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca didn’t mince words:“Impossible to hold proper training sessions in this heat.”
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🌩️ Thunderstorm Delays:
At least five matches were delayed due to U.S. safety rules that halt games when lightning is detected within a 10-mile radius.
With the 2026 World Cup also taking place across North America, this could be a worrying preview of what’s to come.
💰 Critics vs. FIFA: Financial Gain or Football Growth?
Many see the tournament as a FIFA money-maker rather than a meaningful global competition. Matches often had poor attendance, despite the star-studded teams.
However, FIFA insists the tournament is a crucial build-up to the 2026 World Cup, which will host 48 nations across 16 cities in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.
📊 Stats That Raise Eyebrows
European clubs have been pushed to the edge:
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⚽ Real Madrid – 65 games this season
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⚽ Manchester City – 60 matches
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⚽ Chelsea, PSG, Inter Milan – 60+ games each
With another four knockout matches possible for those still in the tournament, burnout is real.
💥 Big Thrashings & Big Thrills
The group stage has been a story of contrasts:
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🔟 Bayern Munich destroyed Auckland City 10-0 — the biggest win in tournament history.
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🎢 Wild scorelines like 4-4 and 4-3 proved that underdogs and drama still have their place.
Whether fans love or loathe the format, it’s already become one of the most talked-about Club World Cups to date.
🏟️ What Next?
As we head into the knockout rounds, the heat — both literal and metaphorical — is on. All eyes are on the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid, Flamengo, and PSG to see who can go the distance.
Stay tuned on Sportova for full matchday coverage, predictions, highlights, and expert takes.
