Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has admitted that his side is struggling to prepare properly for matches at the Club World Cup due to the extreme heat currently sweeping across the East Coast of the United States.
With temperatures soaring in Philadelphia, where the Blues are set to play ES Tunis in their final group stage game, Maresca says it’s become virtually impossible to train under normal conditions.
“It’s almost impossible to train a full session because of the weather,” Maresca told reporters during a press conference ahead of the must-win fixture.
With the heat index in the city reaching 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42.2 Celsius), the conditions are proving to be a significant obstacle, not only to player performance but even to the basic logistics of match preparation.
Chelsea’s most recent training sessions have been deliberately shortened in an effort to preserve energy and avoid exhaustion before their upcoming match.
“We are trying to save energy for the game. This morning’s session was very short, just plan for tomorrow, that’s it. No more than that,” Maresca explained.
Enzo Maresca says the weather conditions in Philadelphia are making it harder to train 🥵 pic.twitter.com/HPaZY9WE9Y
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) June 24, 2025
“It’s not easy with these temperatures, but we will give our best tomorrow to get to the next stage of the competition.”
Philadelphia has declared a heat emergency in response to the dangerously high temperatures, which are forecast to persist through Wednesday evening.
In response, local authorities have opened air-conditioned public spaces, including libraries and community centres, and have launched a medical helpline staffed by professionals to assist with heat-related health concerns.
For Chelsea, the conditions have added a difficult layer to a tournament already packed with pressure. The squad is attempting to recover from a disappointing 3-1 loss to Flamengo and now needs a result against ES Tunis to avoid elimination.
But with the extreme weather affecting every aspect of preparation, Maresca’s squad has had little choice but to adapt on the fly.
The heat has affected more than just Chelsea. Several teams in the competition have voiced concerns about the intense climate and the broader playing conditions.
Borussia Dortmund, for instance, kept their substitutes inside the dressing room during the first half of their recent match due to unbearable temperatures pitchside.
The Club World Cup is being hosted across several American cities, many of which are dealing with record-breaking heat that is now prompting wider questions about the readiness of venues for next year’s World Cup, which will also take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
