Chelsea’s Club World Cup win over Benfica was overshadowed by a furious outburst from head coach Enzo Maresca. The Blues boss hit out at FIFA after the game was delayed by two hours due to lightning, branding the United States “not the right place” for the tournament. Maresca's frustration highlights the ongoing challenges faced during the Club World Cup.
The match, which ended in a 4-1 win for Chelsea after extra time, was interrupted with just four minutes left in normal time. Fans were told to vacate the stadium at Bank of America Stadium, even though it never rained. Such unpredictable event affects the integrity of the Club World Cup, as experienced by Maresca.
Six Weather Delays – But No Rain?
Saturday’s chaos marked the sixth weather delay in just 50 games of the tournament. Several matches have also been affected by extreme heat, with temperatures reaching up to 100°F (38°C) to suit European TV times.
Benfica managed a late equaliser through a stoppage-time penalty after the delay, but Chelsea pulled away in extra time.
“If they’re already suspending six, seven, eight games, probably there is something that is not working well.” — Enzo Maresca
James: “It Was Disruptive for Everyone”
Club captain Reece James also voiced frustration, saying the two-hour delay made it hard to focus:
“We had to sit and wait for a long period. It’s quite disruptive.” — Reece James
Match Stats: Chelsea vs Benfica
| Match Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Weather Delays This Tournament | 6 |
| Temperature at Kick-Off | 38°C |
| Chelsea Goals | 4 |
| Benfica Goals | 1 |
| Length of Delay | 2 hours |
Analyst Verdict
Maresca’s comments reflect growing frustration from clubs asked to perform in unstable conditions. FIFA must urgently rethink how it manages player safety and match integrity—especially with a 48-team tournament for the Maresca Club World Cup just a year away.
Key Insights
- Maresca called US “not right” for the Club World Cup
- Weather delays becoming regular disruption
- Match took nearly five hours to complete
- Reece James says delay was “disruptive”
- FIFA’s prep for the 2026 Maresca Club World Cup is under scrutiny
What’s Next for Chelsea?
Chelsea advance in the Club World Cup but return to training will be focused on recovery after the marathon match. Maresca is expected to demand answers from FIFA before the next round of the Maresca Club World Cup.
Should FIFA rethink the Club World Cup format before the 2026 World Cup?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 29 Jun 2025 06:43
Just never host anything football related in the US, simple.
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