Lightning Delay Sparks Maresca's US Club World Cup Concerns After Chelsea-Benfica Clash

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has questioned FIFA's choice of the United States as host for the Club World Cup, following a significant weather delay during his team's match against Benfica. The game, held at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, was suspended for two hours due to lightning on Saturday. The interruption extended the match to nearly five hours.

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca gestures to fans after the Club World Cup match against Benfica, which was delayed due to lightning.

The match was halted with only four minutes left in regulation time, leading to stadium-wide instructions for fans to evacuate the seating areas. This incident marked the sixth weather-related delay in the tournament's initial 50 games.

Maresca expressed his concerns: "If they are already suspending six, seven, eight games, probably there is something that is not working well," he stated, implying that the United States "is not the right place to do this competition."

Despite the disruption, Chelsea ultimately triumphed over Benfica with a 4-1 victory in extra time. Benfica managed to equalize with a stoppage-time penalty after the extended delay.

Chelsea captain Reece James conveyed his frustration: "had to sit and wait for a long period, and it's quite disruptive."

The tournament has been plagued by issues, including extreme heat, with temperatures soaring to nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit at certain venues. These high temperatures occurred during daytime matches that were scheduled to suit European television audiences.

The expanded Club World Cup is being used as a trial run for the upcoming 48-team World Cup in 2026, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

FIFA has received criticism regarding the playing surfaces, match scheduling, and their handling of weather-related disruptions during the tournament.

Adding to the irony, despite the lightning warning that triggered the delay at Bank of America Stadium, the venue did not experience any actual rainfall.