### Chelsea's Enzo Maresca Critiques Club World Cup Chaos Amidst Weather Delays Chelsea's manager, Enzo Maresca, has publicly criticized the organization of the FIFA Club World Cup, particularly highlighting the chaos caused by a two-hour weather delay during his team's match against Benfica. The game, which Chelsea won 4-1 after extra time, took nearly five hours to complete due to the interruption, leading Maresca to question the suitability of the United States as a host for major football tournaments, especially with the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching. He described the situation as "a joke" and emphasized that such delays are not representative of football [https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/chelsea-maresca-blasts-fifa-club-world-cup-chaos-delay-cancel-10096918]. ### Breakdown of Maresca's Critique and Match Overview 1. **Match Overview**: - Chelsea faced Benfica in the last 16 of the Club World Cup. - The match was halted for nearly two hours due to a lightning storm warning, with only four minutes remaining in regulation time. - Chelsea initially led 1-0 but Benfica equalized in stoppage time, forcing the game into extra time [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]. 2. **Maresca's Comments**: - He labeled the weather delay as "a joke" and questioned the U.S.'s capability to host significant football events. - Maresca expressed concerns about the impact of such delays on the integrity of the sport [https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/45606027/chelsea-enzo-maresca-weather-delay-club-world-cup-benfica]. 3. **Implications for Future Tournaments**: - The incident raises questions about the organization of future tournaments in the U.S., particularly with the upcoming World Cup. - Maresca's remarks suggest a need for better planning and consideration of local weather conditions when scheduling matches [https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/enzo-maresca-chelsea-club-world-cup-suspension-b1235444.html]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Match Duration**: The Chelsea vs. Benfica match lasted a total of 4 hours and 39 minutes, with a significant portion of that time attributed to the weather delay [https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/enzo-maresca-chelsea-benfica-delay-35469966]. - **Historical Context**: This was not an isolated incident; it marked the sixth weather-related disruption during the Club World Cup, indicating a pattern of issues that could affect future events [https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2025/06/29/maresca-lashes-out-at-club-world-cup-organisers-after-another-weather-delay]. ### Conclusion: The Need for Improved Tournament Management In summary, Enzo Maresca's strong criticism of the Club World Cup's organization highlights significant concerns regarding the management of major football events in the U.S. The lengthy weather delay during Chelsea's match against Benfica not only disrupted the flow of the game but also raised questions about the country's readiness to host the upcoming World Cup. 1. **Key Findings**: - The match was significantly delayed, leading to a total duration of nearly five hours. - Maresca's comments reflect broader concerns about the impact of weather on tournament integrity. - The repeated weather disruptions suggest a need for improved planning and contingency measures for future events. These insights underscore the importance of effective tournament management to ensure that the sport remains enjoyable and fair for players and fans alike [https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/article/chelsea-coach-maresca-says-us-is-not-the-right-20399166.php].