When a two-hour storm halts a football match, it’s not just the weather that’s thunderous, but also the critiques of the venue choice.
At a Glance
- A lightning storm caused a nearly two-hour delay during the Club World Cup match between Chelsea and Benfica in the U.S.
- Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca blasted the handling of the delay, calling the situation “a joke” and “dangerous for the players.”
- Maresca questioned the United States’ suitability as a host for major tournaments like the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
- This was the sixth match in the 32-team tournament to be suspended due to weather issues.
A Match Interrupted by a Two-Hour Storm
A FIFA Club World Cup match between Chelsea and Benfica on Saturday was thrown into chaos by a severe lightning storm, which forced a delay of nearly two hours and drew a furious reaction from Chelsea’s manager, Enzo Maresca. The game, which was being held in the United States, was halted in the 28th minute with Chelsea leading 1-0.
When play finally resumed, the long delay had clearly taken its toll. Benfica quickly equalized with a penalty, and the match was ultimately forced into extra time, where Chelsea prevailed with a 4-1 victory.
“A Joke” – Maresca Blasts Organizers
In his post-match press conference, Enzo Maresca did not hold back his frustration with the tournament organizers and their handling of the weather delay. “This is not real football,” he said, according to ESPN. “You stop for two hours, you come back, and you warm up for 10 minutes. It’s a joke. It’s dangerous for the players.”
The incident was the sixth time a match has been suspended due to weather during the 32-team tournament, a statistic that Maresca seized upon to question the suitability of the host nation.
A Warning Shot for the World Cup
With the United States set to co-host the much larger 2026 World Cup, Maresca warned that organizers need to be far better prepared for the country’s diverse and often volatile weather patterns.
“They want to bring the World Cup here in two years, and they need to be more prepared,” Maresca stated bluntly. “It’s something they have to fix. Imagine a World Cup final, and you stop for two hours. It’s a joke.” The critique, reported by CNN, serves as a major warning for FIFA and U.S. Soccer.
The chaotic victory was also costly for Chelsea. Midfielder Moisés Caicedo received a red card during the match and will now be suspended for the team’s next game against Brazilian side Palmeiras.
