It’s turning out to be a World Cup of extreme weather. The French team already experienced this during their group stage clash against Iraq, which had to be halted for two hours due to severe weather conditions. Ahead of today’s fixture against Paraguay—the side that knocked out Germany—there were also doubts about whether the match would be able to kick off on schedule.
The positive update is that the game will begin on time. However, the downside is that Philadelphia is currently sweltering under scorching heat. To help players and staff cope, air-conditioning units have been placed by the benches to provide some relief from the soaring temperatures.
According to a report by The Athletic, today’s encounter could potentially become the hottest match ever recorded in World Cup history, with temperatures expected to reach around 38 degrees Celsius.
Yet, after this intense heat, another storm might be on its way.
Everyone involved will be hoping the match concludes within regular time, as the intensity on the pitch may rise not just because of the competition, but also due to the extreme conditions.