Extreme heat doesn’t just impact cities or outdoor workers. It also seeps into the most iconic stadiums, where elite soccer tries to maintain its spectacle as the planet reaches record temperatures.

This Northern Hemisphere summer, the Club World Cup, held in the United States, has coincided with historic heat waves across North America and Europe, making it clear that global warming knows no borders or disciplines.

In Miami, where some of the tournament’s most anticipated matches have taken place, thermometers climbed to nearly 34 °C (93 °F), with humidity exceeding 70%, creating an even more stifling heat index. Colombian forward Jhon Arias, who plays for Fluminense, was among the first to publicly highlight the difficulty of playing in these conditions. “It’s hard to play at this time, with this weather,” he said after a match at Hard Rock Stadium, pointing out that the high temperatures affected players’ performance and health.

His words resonate in a broader context. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), June 2025 has been one of the hottest months in recent U.S. history. More than 240 million people experienced above-average temperatures, and nights no longer bring relief: in many states, lows remained around 26 °C (79 °F).

Meanwhile, in Europe, countries like Spain, France, and Italy have reached temperatures of 46 °C (115 °F), forcing school closures and the evacuation of rural areas due to wildfires.

Although extreme heat is often perceived as a passing nuisance, the science is unequivocal: heat waves are longer, more frequent, and more dangerous as a result of climate change. The World Meteorological Organization warns that these phenomena, known as heat domes, are directly linked to atmospheric warming and the disruption of global weather patterns.

In the United States, the situation is worrying because of its health and economic implications. Just this month, health authorities issued excessive heat warnings in more than 30 states, recommending limiting outdoor physical activity and monitoring children and older adults.

The Club World Cup, with matches scheduled during peak sunlight hours, has sparked debate about the need to reschedule sporting events to protect athletes and spectators.

For fans following the tournament from cities like Houston, Dallas, or Atlanta, the heat isn’t just a statistic—it’s a daily reality. During the competition’s first week, many areas in the southern and central U.S. recorded heat indexes above 43 °C (109 °F), conditions that can cause dehydration, heatstroke, and even death if precautions aren’t taken.

But while professional athletes raise their voices, millions of people are living with the impacts of global warming without microphones or spotlights. Farmworkers, construction crews, delivery drivers, and essential service employees are facing increasingly hazardous workdays in environments where extreme heat is no longer the exception but the new normal.

The combination of major global sporting events and extreme climate conditions underscores a dilemma that can no longer be postponed. What role should major sports organizations play in adapting to climate change? Is it enough to keep players hydrated and offer shaded areas to the public, or is it necessary to rethink tournament schedules and calendars altogether?

In an increasingly warmer world, sports cannot remain on the sidelines of the conversation about sustainability and resilience. Images of exhausted footballers, stands under a scorching sun, and stadiums turned into ovens are a reminder: climate change is no longer a future threat—it is a reality playing out on every field, in every city, and in every home.

As the Club World Cup moves into its decisive stage, millions of people—players, fans, and everyday citizens—will continue coping with the suffocating heat. And while there will be a champion at the end of the tournament, global warming seems determined to defeat us all.