Chelsea's manager, Enzo Maresca, didn't hold back his feelings after a weather delay disrupted their Club World Cup match against Benfica. The match, held in Charlotte, North Carolina, was halted due to a thunderstorm with only four minutes of regular time remaining. Chelsea was leading 1-0 at the time, thanks to a free-kick goal from Reece James.
The delay lasted for nearly two hours, turning the match into a grueling near five-hour affair. Maresca was left frustrated, stating, "I think it's a joke, it's not football". He acknowledged the need to suspend the game for security reasons but questioned the suitability of the United States as a host country for the competition, especially with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon. "If you suspend seven or eight games, that means that probably this is not the right place to do this competition," Maresca commented.
Maresca pointed out the rarity of weather-related suspensions in other major tournaments like the World Cup or European Championships. He argued that the lengthy interruption broke the game's tempo and made it a completely different contest. "The game was very good for 85 minutes, then we stopped for two hours, and when we started it was a completely different game. It's not the same game because you break the tempo," Maresca explained.
The match ultimately resumed, with Benfica capitalizing on the restart by scoring an injury-time equalizer through Angel Di Maria after a VAR-awarded penalty. However, Chelsea regained their composure in extra time, scoring three goals to secure a 4-1 victory and advance to the quarter-finals against Palmeiras. Goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall sealed the win for the Blues.
The delay marked the sixth occasion during the Club World Cup where a game was disrupted by weather warnings. This has raised concerns about the potential for similar disruptions during the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Despite the victory, the Chelsea manager's criticism highlights a significant challenge for FIFA and future tournament organizers: ensuring player safety while maintaining the integrity and flow of the game. The incident has sparked debate about contingency plans and the suitability of certain locations for hosting major soccer events.
