Less than three hours before kick-off, the weather invites itself to debates around PSG-Real Madrid. The long-awaited shock of the semi-final of the Club World Cup, scheduled for the New York Metlife Stadium, is placed under close meteorological surveillance. Between suffocating heat and violent thunderstorms, climatic conditions worry. A recent precedent with the chaotic arrival of the Madrid has already set the decor of a meeting threatened by the elements. The spectrum of a postponement is no longer completely out of purpose.
Real Madrid already struck by the storm
Monday evening, the flight of the Merengues from Florida was forced to curl above Virginia due to the remains of the Tropical Storm Chantal. Result: canceled press conference, isolated players at the hotel. The New York Post reported, the next day, more than 7,100 flights canceled on the East Coast. An instability confirmed by the NOAA, which alerts this Wednesday on the risks of violent thunderstorms in New Jersey between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., with gusts at more than 80 km/h. As a bonus, a heat index flirting with the 38 ° C triggered a red alert in Newark.
If a lightning is detected within a radius of 10 km around the stadium, the FIFA protocol imposes an immediate 30 -minute interruption, reset to zero in the event of a new impact. In case of persistent conditions, reprogramming within 24 hours is planned, but the tight calendar – final on Sunday – leaves little margin. Two matches had already been pushed back at the start of the tournament in Dallas and Washington. FIFA would even consider, as a last resort, an extension played behind closed doors if lightning is invited after 11 p.m.
Surveillance match: PSG-Real threatened by the weather
FIFA protocol and alternative scenarios
In this uncertain configuration, Paris seems better prepared. PSG normally trained in Rutgers, while Real Madrid had to cancel its last session. Extreme heat could weigh heavily on organisms. Profiles like Hakimi, Vitinha or Vinicius, already reported in delicacy, are closely monitored. The medical staff agree to consider a cooling break if the WBGT index exceeds 32 ° C, a threshold that could well be crossed.
The stormy alert precisely concerns the niche 7 p.m.-8 p.m., around the start. At this hour, FIFA remains officially “confident” about maintaining the match. But the slightest flash could be enough to switch the program. A rescue niche is envisaged Thursday at 3 p.m., still in Metlife. An indoor option has been mentioned, but appears to be unthinkable in view of the 60,000 tickets already sold. It remains to be hoped that lightning does not fall on the summer event.
