In 1985 the great philosophers of The Power Station once uttered the iconic tune and phrase “Some Like It Hot.” It’s become increasingly evident that they were not talking about Europeans.
The 2025 Club World Cup has a clear theme following the group stage. The Europeans love to complain about the American heat.
Bundesliga sides Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund pulled an unprecedented strategy of leaving their substitutes in the locker rooms for the first half so their players didn’t have to be outside.
Dortmund and Bayern subs sitting in locker room
Bayern Munich subs are watching the game from inside due to the extreme temperatures in the stadium ☀️ pic.twitter.com/nCGOjjIg9H
— LiveScore (@livescore) June 24, 2025
Our subs watched the first half from inside the locker room to avoid the blazing sun at TQL Stadium – never seen that before, but in this heat, it absolutely makes sense. #FIFACWC pic.twitter.com/5GYtMER1fQ
— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) June 21, 2025
Temperatures for the Club World Cup have reached into the 80s and 90s and it appears to be too much for the European clubs.
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique also complained that the fields dry too quickly and aren’t up to the European standards.
PSG boss Luis Enrique is NOT happy with the Club World Cup pitches, suggesting the ball "bounces like it's a rabbit" ⚽ pic.twitter.com/Wwygzljajm
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 24, 2025
"Lumen Field is an example, it used to be artificial turf and now it is natural grass and they have to water it by hand - they did so at half-time but the field was dry again in 10 minutes," Enrique said after PSG’s 2-0 victory against the Seattle Sounders.
"For our game this a problem. It's very different to European pitches. The grass is different and therefore it is not so easy to have the same smoothness to play our style - but we did adapt well and we're very happy."
Several other players from European clubs have stated their complaints. Atlético Madrid’s Marcos Llorente described the weather as unbearable.
“Playing in this heat is impossible. The heat is terrible. My toes hurt, even my toenails,” Llorente said.
“We are adapting to the heat of playing at these hours. No one in Europe is used to it.”
If there was a World Cup for complaining then the European would be the undisputed champions for eternity.
This 32-team Club World Cup is a small preview of what’s to come for next summer’s 48-team World Cup being hosted in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Bring extra water, Europeans.
