Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez issued a serious warning ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada: high temperatures could affect the performance and health of footballers.

In the run-up to the 2025 Club World Cup final, which will be played this Sunday at MetLife Stadium, the Argentine asked FIFA to reconsider the match schedules for the next World Cup.

“Honestly, the heat is incredible,” Fernández said this Friday. “The other day I got dizzy in the middle of a play. I had to lie down on the ground because I felt really bad. Playing in this temperature is very dangerous.”

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The heat in the US, a risk factor for 2026

The Club World Cup final between Chelsea and PSG is scheduled for 3:00 pm EDT, amid extreme weather with temperatures of 28°C (83°F), which due to humidity feels like 33°C (91°F). Fernández, one of the stars of the Argentine national team, urged FIFA to avoid afternoon kick-off times at next year's World Cup.

"The speed of the game isn't the same. Everything becomes very slow," he explained. "Let's hope the schedules change next year, at least so that it continues to be an attractive and high-quality spectacle."

MetLife Stadium, host of the 2026 World Cup

MetLife Stadium, where the Club World Cup final will be played, will also be the stage for the 2026 World Cup final. Fernández's words take on even more relevance when you consider that this is the same stadium where the world champion will be decided in a year's time.

Chelsea captain Reece James also acknowledged the impact of the heat on the players' physical performance:

"The game will be more difficult for the team that doesn't have the ball. I think we're slowly getting used to it."