NEW YORK -- With less than a year to go until the U.S. co-hosts the tournament with Mexico and Canada, the heat and humidity experienced by teams at the Club World Cup has set alarm bells ringing within the game that it might just be a case of wrong place and wrong time for a summer tournament in North America.
High-profile players and coaches, senior figures at global players' union FIFPRO, and climate experts have all raised concerns about the risks and even dangers that will accompany next year's 48-team World Cup, which will be staged at the height of summer between June 11 and July 19.