Borussia Dortmund took an unusual approach to combat the extreme heat during their Club World Cup match against Mamelodi Sundowns in Cincinnati on Saturday, June 21, 2025. With temperatures soaring to near 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) and feeling even hotter inside TQL Stadium, the team decided to have their substitutes watch the first half of the game from the air-conditioned comfort of the locker room to avoid the "blazing sun."
The club's English-language Twitter account shared this unprecedented strategy, stating, "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." This decision highlights the significant impact that extreme weather conditions can have on athletic performance and the creative measures teams might take to mitigate those effects.
Dortmund's coach, Niko Kovac, had previously voiced his concerns about the Cincinnati heat. Before the match, he noted that the high temperatures gave southern clubs an advantage in the Club World Cup, as their players are more accustomed to such conditions. He also pointed out the difficulty for fans and players alike, estimating that the temperature inside the stadium could be several degrees higher than the reported 32 degrees Celsius (90°F) in the shade. Kovac emphasized the need for players who could handle the heat, maintain stamina, and minimize fatigue. He also stressed the importance of ball possession to avoid chasing the ball excessively in the draining heat.
The match against Mamelodi Sundowns kicked off at 12 PM local time, exacerbating the heat issue. Kovac rotated his squad to ensure players could endure the conditions. The lack of protection on the benches further compounded the problem, exposing players and coaching staff to direct sunlight. While Dortmund's substitutes enjoyed the cool locker room, those on the bench used umbrellas and towels to shield themselves from the sun.
Despite the heat, Borussia Dortmund managed to secure a 4-3 victory against Mamelodi Sundowns. Jobe Bellingham, brother of Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, was among the goalscorers. Coach Kovac described the conditions as being in a sauna. He said, "I stood on the touchline and sweated as if I were coming out of the sauna. These are such hard conditions. We certainly didn't do the best game, but that wasn't possible today. We won and we go on.”
The team's decision to keep substitutes in the locker room drew attention and sparked conversation. It underscores the increasing challenges that athletes face due to rising global temperatures and the need for innovative solutions to ensure player safety and performance. This incident also highlights the potential infrastructural improvements needed to protect players in hot conditions, such as providing shaded benches.
