### Chelsea's Enzo Maresca Critiques Club World Cup Hosting After Lightning Delays Chelsea's manager, Enzo Maresca, expressed his frustration regarding the recent Club World Cup match against Benfica, which was marred by a two-hour lightning delay. This incident has raised questions about the suitability of the United States as a host for major football tournaments, especially with the 2026 World Cup approaching. Maresca labeled the situation a "joke," emphasizing that such weather disruptions are unacceptable for a prestigious event like the Club World Cup [https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14857755/Chelsea-boss-labels-Club-World-Cup-win-Benfica-joke-says-tournament-not-football-16-clash-suspended-nearly-two-hours-lightning.html]. ### Enzo Maresca's Criticism of the Club World Cup Organization 1. **Weather Delays**: The match against Benfica was delayed for nearly two hours due to lightning, leading to a total match duration of almost five hours. Maresca criticized this disruption as indicative of poor planning by FIFA [https://apnews.com/article/club-world-cup-chelsea-coach-weather-467d0006f16c1febb6d3aef018516687]. 2. **Suitability of the U.S. as Host**: Maresca questioned whether the U.S. is the right venue for hosting significant football tournaments, citing the weather-related issues as a major concern. He suggested that such conditions could jeopardize the integrity of future competitions, including the upcoming World Cup [https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/45606027/chelsea-enzo-maresca-weather-delay-club-world-cup-benfica]. 3. **Impact on Players and Fans**: The lengthy delay not only affected the players' performance but also the experience for fans attending the match. Maresca's comments reflect a broader concern about the impact of weather on sporting events and the need for better contingency planning [https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/chelsea-boss-lashes-out-at-club-world-cup-organisers-after-yet-another-weather-delay]. ### Supporting Evidence of Weather-Related Issues - **Match Duration**: The match took nearly five hours to complete due to the two-hour delay, which is significantly longer than typical match durations. - **Historical Context**: Previous tournaments held in the U.S. have faced similar weather-related disruptions, raising concerns about the country's ability to host major events effectively [https://keyt.com/news/2025/06/29/chelsea-manager-enzo-maresca-critcizes-weather-delays-at-club-world-cup-and-questions-us-hosting-the-competition]. - **Future Implications**: With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Maresca's comments highlight the urgent need for FIFA to address these logistical challenges to ensure a smooth tournament experience [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/club-world-cup-not-the-right-place-chelsea-chelsea-coach-enzo-maresca-blasts-us-venue-choice-after-lightning-forces-delay/articleshow/122138415.cms]. ### Conclusion: The Need for Improved Planning in Major Tournaments In summary, Enzo Maresca's outburst regarding the Club World Cup highlights significant concerns about the organization and planning of major football events in the U.S. The two-hour weather delay during Chelsea's match against Benfica not only disrupted the game but also raised questions about the country's readiness to host the upcoming World Cup. 1. **Weather Disruptions**: The lightning delay was a major point of contention for Maresca, who deemed it unacceptable for a tournament of this caliber. 2. **Host Suitability**: His criticism of the U.S. as a host nation reflects broader concerns about logistical planning for future tournaments. 3. **Call for Action**: Maresca's comments serve as a call to FIFA to improve contingency measures to prevent similar issues in the future. The situation underscores the importance of effective planning and adaptability in hosting international sporting events, especially in regions prone to unpredictable weather [https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2025/06/29/maresca-lashes-out-at-club-world-cup-organisers-after-another-weather-delay].