Credit: Mike Segar-Reuters via Imagn Images

Enzo Fernandez Slams USA Heat as ‘Very Dangerous’ After Faint Scare

Chelsea Star Urges FIFA To Rethink 2026 World Cup Schedule After Dizzy Spell in the Semi-Final.

Credit: Mike Segar-Reuters via Imagn Images

Enzo Fernandez becomes one of many to have voiced serious concerns over playing in extreme heat in the United States. In a recent statement, he has described the conditions as “very dangerous”. This comes after he nearly fainted during Chelsea’s Club World Cup semi-final win against Fluminense.

The Argentine midfielder revealed he felt ‘dizzy’ and had to lie down on the pitch to recover. The temperatures in New Jersey soared to 35°C (95°F) during the afternoon kickoff that day. Fernandez said, “Honestly, the heat is incredible.”

He added, “The other day I got a bit dizzy during a play and had to lie down on the ground. Playing in this temperature is very dangerous, very dangerous.” The semi-final clash at MetLife Stadium included cooling breaks each half. However, the oppressive heat still affected players.

🗣 Enzo Fernandez: "The truth is the heat is incredible. The other day I got a little dizzy in the game. I had to throw myself to the ground because I was really dizzy.

The truth is, playing in that temperature is very dangerous. It's very dangerous and, obviously, for the… pic.twitter.com/CF8KbFEsOD
— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) July 11, 2025

Fernandez added that the conditions also hurt the quality of football on display, iterating: “For the spectacle, for the people who come to enjoy the game at the stadium, and for those watching at home, the pace of the game isn’t the same; everything slows down a lot.”

Enzo Fernandez Opens up Criticising FIFA Over Scheduling

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca and players have joined the criticism. Maresca said holding training sessions ‘impossible’ in such heat. Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, now FIFA’s global football development chief also admitted that the conditions were problematic.

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He said that FIFA is considering more covered stadiums for 2026. Players’ union FIFPRO also criticised the tournament’s scheduling after data showed temperatures exceeding thresholds for safe play in multiple matches, like PSG vs Atletico Madrid, Chelsea vs Es Tunis, and Benfica vs Bayern Munich.

Their findings suggested that the temperature exceeded 28°C (82.4°F) during these games. Hence, they should have been postponed. Fernandez’s comments carry extra weight as he is expected to feature in reigning champions Argentina’s squad for the World Cup next year.

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The expanded 48-team tournament is set to be held across the USA, Canada, and Mexico in 2026. Talking about that, Fernandez said, “Let’s hope that next year they change the schedule, at least so that football remains a beautiful and attractive spectacle.”

Chelsea are preparing for their Club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain at the same venue. The temperature forecast looks the same as the semi-final. Hence, concerns persist about player welfare in that match as well.

2026 World Cup

Chelsea

Club World Cup

Enzo Fernandez

FIFA

Moumita Dutta

soccer

Football writer at The Playoffs. I’ve been obsessed with the beautiful game since I was a kid.. Eventually, I realized I could combine my passion for writing with my love for football, and I’ve never looked back. My favorite part of the job is everything—when you’re doing what you love, even a late-night deadline feels like extra time in a thrilling cup final. Lastly, Lionel Messi is the GOAT.