Chelsea forced to cut training short before FIFA Club World Cup game

Chelsea players and staff were forced to cut a training session ahead of their FIFA Club World Cup final group game against ES Tunis.

The London club need a positive result to progress to the round of 16 but the heat seems to be affecting their preparation. Chelsea have been using the Philadelphia Union’s Subaru Park base to prepare for that contest but were forced to spend little time out on the field.

Chelsea incorporated fans and water sprays into their latest training session, but they still had to finish early.

However, the club manager Enzo Maresca has said his side are finding ways to cope as the United States’ east coast battles a severe heat wave.

Levi Colwill of Chelsea cool down during a Training at Subaru Park on June 23, 2025 in Philadelphia, United States. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

“It’s almost impossible to train a full session because of the weather,” Maresca told a news conference.

“We are trying to save energy for the game. This morning’s session was very short, just plan for tomorrow, that’s it. No more than that.

“It’s not easy with these temperatures, but we will give our best tomorrow to get to the next stage of the competition.”

Forecasts in Philadelphia called for a heat index of 108 degrees Farenheit (42.2 Celsius) on Monday.

The city’s public health department declared a heat emergency through Wednesday evening. Officials directed residents to air-conditioned libraries, community centers and other locations, and set up a “heat line” staffed by medical professionals to discuss conditions and illnesses made worse by the heat.