Juventus Players Overwhelmed by Heat in Club World Cup Loss to Real Madrid
Ten Juventus players requested substitutions during their 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the FIFA Club World Cup Last-16 showdown in Miami, as soaring heat and suffocating humidity took their toll.
Juventus manager Igor Tudor revealed that the conditions were so extreme, his squad was physically overwhelmed.
“In the end, 10 players asked to be substituted,” Tudor said. “The exhaustion was incredible. There’s the tension of this match, which burns your energy. Then there's this heat, which really gets to you, and the third thing that completes the conditions is playing in this humidity.”
Despite being allowed only five substitutions in normal time (and six in extra time), Tudor could not accommodate all the players struggling in 30°C temperatures with 70% humidity.
Real Madrid Edge Through with Gonzalo Garcia’s Winner
Spanish giants Real Madrid secured their spot in the quarter-finals thanks to Gonzalo Garcia's second-half goal, clinching a narrow victory in brutal weather at Hard Rock Stadium.
Extreme Heat Disrupting Club World Cup Matches
This is not an isolated incident. The Club World Cup has been plagued by heat-related challenges:
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Borussia Dortmund boss Niko Kovac said he was "sweating like I’ve just come out of a sauna" during their match in Cincinnati.
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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca called it “impossible” to train properly in Philadelphia under a “code red” heat alert.
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The temperature hit 36°C during Benfica vs Bayern Munich in Charlotte.
According to FIFA, "cooling breaks" are now mandatory once the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) exceeds 32°C — a combined measure of heat, humidity, and radiation. These breaks have already been enforced in 33 of 56 matches so far.
However, global players’ union Fifpro is demanding stricter guidelines: breaks should start at 28°C WBGT, and matches should be postponed if it exceeds 32°C.
Next Year’s World Cup Under Scrutiny
The United States is set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the ongoing heatwave has raised serious concerns. Experts suggest games — including the World Cup final — may need to be scheduled as early as 9:00 am local time to avoid dangerous playing conditions.
