CHARLOTTE, NC — As the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup heats up across the United States, so too do temperatures across the East Coast, where much of the tournament has been staged.
With the group stage coming to a dramatic close and the knockout stage set to begin shortly, key matches are being played in the blazing heat as players, coaches, staff, and fans cook under record-setting temperatures. Many games feature kickoff times at the hottest points of the day, such as noon or 3 p.m. local.
“The match was clearly influenced by the temperature,” said PSG manager Luis Enrique after their opening game against in Los Angeles, which began at noon local. “The time slot is great for European audiences, but the teams are suffering.”
Borussia Dortmund substitutes watched the first half of their match against Mamelodi Sundowns in Cincinnati from the dressing room to avoid the heat, and fellow German side Bayern Munich did the same for their group stage finale against Benfica in Charlotte.
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
As football fans look ahead to next summer’s World Cup across many of these same venues, fears have been heightened about the safety of competition for both players and fans in attendance. Even as cooling breaks are added to matches, which allow players to hydrate and keep fit, there are concerns that the heightened temperatures could be unsafe for all involved.
The Sporting News runs through what the weather will look like for upcoming games as temperatures soar across the East Coast.
MORE: Full schedule, results, standings, and bracket for 2025 Club World Cup competition
How hot will it be for Club World Cup games today?
Benfica vs. Bayern Munich — Charlotte, NC
- Kickoff Time: 3 p.m. ET
- High Temperature: 98 F (36.7 C)
- Feels like: 106 F (41.1 C)
- Temperature at Kickoff: 98 F (36.7 C)
Bayern Munich and Benfica battle for the top spot in Group C at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. While Bayern have already qualified for a knockout stage spot, Benfica would be at risk of elimination if they suffer defeat.
The NFL stadium is not only not covered, but almost entirely exposed to the sun, and will bake fans and players alike. Capacity for this venue is around 75,000, and it was nearly full for Real Madrid’s win over Pachuca two days prior in similar heat.
Auckland City vs. Boca Juniors — Nashville, TN
- Kickoff Time: 3 p.m. ET (2 p.m. CT)
- High Temperature: 96 F (35.6 C)
- Feels like: 104 F (40 C)
- Temperature at Kickoff: 96 F (35.6 C)
The other Group C match will see Boca Juniors look to capitalize on any Benfica slip as they meet Auckland City, the Oceania qualifier who has been battered in each of their first two matches thus far by a combined 16-0.
GEODIS Park, a soccer-specific venue which seats just over 30,000 fans, has some slight shade for those sitting at the very top of the stand, but otherwise is entirely exposed to the sun.
Esperance de Tunis vs. Chelsea — Philadelphia, PA
- Kickoff Time: 9 p.m. ET
- High Temperature: 100 F (37.8 C)
- Feels like: 104 F (40 C)
- Temperature at Kickoff: 92 F (33.3 C)
A critical Group D match sees Chelsea and Esperance de Tunis do battle for the second qualifying position behind Flamengo.
Lincoln Financial Field, the home of the NFL team Philadelphia Eagles, features almost entirely sun-bathed seating. Thankfully, with the evening kickoff, temperatures won’t be the boiling triple-digit numbers of the afternoon, but are still expected to be in the 90s.
It’s official! As of 2 PM, the Philadelphia Int’l Airport has reached 100° for the first time in 13 years, when the high was 100° on July 18, 2012. This breaks the daily record high temperature of 99° set in 1923, & is the first 100° temperature to occur in June since 1994. #PAwx
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) June 24, 2025
LAFC vs. Flamengo — Orlando, FL
- Kickoff Time: 9 p.m. ET
- High Temperature: 91 F (32.8 C)
- Feels like: 95 F (34.4 C)
- Temperature at Kickoff: 84 F (28.9 C)
This Group D match between already-qualified Flamengo and eliminated LAFC still has some competitive stakes as it will give the Brazilian side an opportunity to confirm their place atop the standings to snatch a seeded Round of 16 position.
Surprisingly, their Florida venue will be the coolest of the four matches of the day, as the evening kickoff will see low-90’s highs cool down into the mid-80’s by the time the match starts.
How hot will it be for Club World Cup games tomorrow?
Temperatures for Wednesday, June 25
Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Fluminense — Miami, FL
- Kickoff time: 3 p.m. ET
- High temperature: 85 F (29.4 C)
Borussia Dortmund vs. Ulsan — Cincinnati, OH
- Kickoff time: 3 p.m. ET
- High temperature: 93 F (33.9 C)
Inter vs. River Plate — Seattle, WA
- Kickoff time: 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT)
- High temperature: 67 F (19.4 C)
Urawa Red Diamonds vs. Monterrey — Los Angeles, CA
- Kickoff time: 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT)
- High temperature: 80 F (26.7 C)
Tracking temperatures of previous Club World Cup matches
Monday, June 23
Seattle Sounders 0-2 PSG — Seattle, WA
- Kickoff time: 3 p.m. ET (12 p.m. PT)
- High temperature: 77 F (25 C)
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Botafogo — Los Angeles, CA
- Kickoff time: 3 p.m ET (12 p.m. PT)
- High temperature: 78 F (25.6 C)
Inter Miami 2-2 Palmeiras — Miami, FL
- Kickoff time: 9 p.m. ET
- High temperature: 90 F (32.2 C)
Porto 4-4 Al Ahly — East Rutherford, NJ
- Kickoff time: 9 p.m. ET
- High temperature: 99 F (37.2 C)
Sunday, June 22
Juventus 4-1 Wydad Casablanca — Philadelphia, PA
- Kickoff time: 12 p.m. ET
- High temperature: 88 F (31.1 C)
Real Madrid 3-1 Pachuca — Charlotte, NC
- Kickoff time: 3 p.m. ET
- High temperature: 95 F (35 C)
RB Salzburg 0-0 Al Hilal — Washington, DC
- Kickoff time: 6 p.m. ET
- High temperature: 91 F (32.8 C)
Man City 6-0 Al Ain — Atlanta, GA
- Kickoff time: 9 p.m. ET
- High temperature: 95 F (35 C)
- Game played with roof closed at the air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Stadium
