Dortmund coach Kovac calls for later kickoffs after scorching Club World Cup

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Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Quarter Final - Real Madrid v Borussia Dortmund - MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. - July 5, 2025 Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac reacts REUTERS/Lee Smith

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac called for later kickoff times after his players again laboured through scorching heat in a dramatic 3-2 defeat by Real Madrid in their Club World Cup quarter-final at 3 p.m. ET (1900 GMT) on Saturday in New Jersey.

Dortmund played in temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) last month for a group stage game at the same time of day in Cincinnati.

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT

Scorching temperatures at the Club World Cup have raised concerns for the 2026 World Cup, where a record 48 teams will face off in the quadrennial global spectacle in the sweltering North American summer.

Soccers world governing body, FIFA, have implemented cooling breaks and mitigating measures, but coaches and players have complained, with frequent afternoon kickoff times making teams compete in direct sun.

Nine of the 16 host cities for the 2026 World Cup face conditions considered extreme risk for heat-related illness and the global players union FIFPRO said it is exploring better ways to protect players.

KEY QUOTES:

Dortmund coach Niko Kovac:

These athletes had to bring top performance, but again thats the tournament mode and we will see the same next year during the World