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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JUNE 28: Enzo Maresca, Head Coach of Chelsea FC, reacts as he speaks to … More the media in a post match press conference after the team’s victory in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between SL Benfica and Chelsea FC at Bank of America Stadium on June 28, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Justin Setterfield – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) FIFA via Getty Images Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca suggested that the United States is not fit to host international soccer competitions after his team’s match with Benfica was suspended for almost two hours due to a weather delay. With the threat of lightning in the area, players and fans were told to seek shelter while the storm passed. The game was approaching its end with Chelsea holding a 1-0 lead, but when they returned, Benfica equalised and forced extra time, in which Chelsea scored three goals to eventually get the job done. The weather delay plus the extra time meant the game took almost five hours to complete. It would have been even longer if Chelsea hadn’t scored those goals in extra time, and the game had gone to a penalty shootout. Safety is the priority in these situations. Protecting everyone involved at the stadium by seeking shelter indoors during these storms is not controversial in itself, but it has raised questions around hosting such events in a region known for such delays. This was the sixth game at the Club World Cup to experience a weather-related delay, and it is an issue that will more than likely affect the FIFA World Cup played across the United States, Mexico, and Canada next year. “I think it’s a joke to be honest, it’s not football,” said Maresca. “I struggle to…

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Filed under: News - @ June 29, 2025 7:25 pm