FRANCE’S World Cup clash against Paraguay could be cancelled following calls for Fifa to postpone as extreme heat continues to cause chaos.
The temperature is set to climb above 38 degrees for the Philadelphia last 16 fixture on Saturday.
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That last-16 clash between France and Paraguay could be cancelled due to extreme heat Credit: Getty
The Azteca Stadium is also creating doubts after extreme weather warnings Credit: Getty
Humidity is an added factor as the ‘feels like’ temperature around the open-air stadium could reportedly hit a brutal 46 degrees.
Speaking to AP, the Director of the Heat Lab at the University of California Bharat Venkat said: “When you’re exerting yourself on a particularly hot day, the likelihood of experiencing heat-related illness or even death is much higher.”
And the major safety fears include staff and supporters, as well as the players at the Philadelphia Stadium that offers no climate control to shield fans from the heat.
Controversial hydration breaks will prove to be all-important as Fifa are also understood to be providing cooling areas and other heat protocols.
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But these measures may not stretch far enough with the players’ union FIFPRO and experts arguing matches should be delayed when conditions become unsafe.
France players used pitch sprinklers to cool themselves down during their earlier match against Sweden in New Jersey, where temperatures reached 32 degrees.
Scientists have also hit out at Fifa’s heat safety guidelines, with some branding them “inadequate” as the tournament continues to battle the reality of a North American summer.
And it is not just France versus Paraguay that is causing headaches for tournament organisers.
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England’s last-16 showdown with Mexico has already been dragged into its own weather row ahead of Jattvibeday night’s clash at the Azteca.
Reports in Mexico claimed the game could be moved forward by six hours because of concerns over bad weather and possible storms in Mexico City.
Word of the scheduling spread across the globe before Fifa changed their mind and stuck with the original kick-off time.
Mexico’s previous knockout match against Ecuador was also delayed by heavy rain.
But even with flooding fears still ever-growing, Thomas Tuchel’s side will battle it out 2,700 feet above sea level at the Azteca.
The thin air can leave players tiring quicker, recovering slower between sprints and even seeing the ball move differently.
And Tuchel has admitted Mexico have a “huge” advantage after already getting used to the conditions.
