The Chilling Forecast
A "Cold Weather Advisory" has been issued in Kansas City, warning residents that dangerously cold wind chills, potentially as low as 20 degrees below zero, could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. Despite these dire conditions, Sporting Kansas City and Inter Miami are scheduled to play a soccer game on Wednesday night. Originally set to open their seasons on Tuesday in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the match was postponed due to snow. Now, with forecasted temperatures dipping below 4 degrees Fahrenheit, the rescheduled game on Wednesday might be one of the coldest in soccer history.
The Rescheduling Dilemma
When the match was initially postponed from Tuesday to Wednesday, it was due to adverse weather conditions, including significant snow accumulation in the Kansas City metropolitan area. CONCACAF, the governing body for North and Central American soccer, made this decision in collaboration with the participating clubs and local authorities to ensure player and fan safety. However, Wednesday brings a different set of concerns. While the snow is expected to stop falling late Tuesday night and the underground heating system at Children’s Mercy Park will keep the field playable, the extreme cold is the primary worry. Hypothermia, frostbite, and other health issues are significant risks in such frigid temperatures.
Messi’s Presence and the Cold
One of the most pressing questions surrounding the game is whether Lionel Messi, Inter Miami’s star player, will participate. Inter’s head coach, Javier Mascherano, has assured the media that Messi is "100% available" and that he will play, regardless of the weather. However, the drastic temperature drop and the potential health risks have fueled skepticism among fans. Inter Miami is scheduled to travel to Kansas City on Wednesday morning, and while there is an expectation that the game will proceed, many are questioning the wisdom of playing under such extreme conditions.
Player Safety and Competition Rules
There are no specific CONCACAF or FIFA rules that address playing in extremely cold weather. FIFPRO, the global players’ union, recommends canceling matches when the air temperature is less than 5 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind chill temperature is below -16.6 degrees Fahrenheit. However, in the absence of official guidelines, the game is expected to go ahead. The tight schedule plays a significant role in this decision. This is the first leg of a two-leg knockout matchup, and the second leg is set for next Tuesday. Further delays could disrupt the entire competition schedule, including MLS matches and other commitments for both teams.
Precedents and Weather-Related Controversies
There is little precedent for soccer games in such extreme cold. Most leagues in countries with frigid winters, like Scandinavia and Russia, take breaks during January and February. The coldest MLS game on record was a March 3, 2019 match in Colorado, where the temperature was 18 degrees Fahrenheit. The coldest game between MLS teams was a February 20, 2018 clash between the Colorado Rapids and Toronto FC, which saw temperatures around 5 degrees Fahrenheit at kickoff, with the wind chill dipping well below -10 degrees. In January 2022, the U.S. men’s national team played Honduras in a World Cup qualifier in Minnesota, where the temperature was 2 degrees Fahrenheit at kickoff, with a wind chill of -14. Honduras had to substitute multiple players due to the "extreme climate conditions."
A Test of Endurance and Spirit
The decision to play the Kansas City-Miami match in such extreme conditions highlights the challenges and controversies surrounding weather-related soccer matches. While clubs in cold-weather cities often embrace adverse conditions, the safety and health of players and fans must always be a top priority. The lack of specific rules for cold weather in international soccer competitions means that the decision to proceed often rests on the discretion of the governing bodies and the participating teams. For Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates, the choice to play this game could have significant health implications, both in the short and medium term. The world will be watching to see how they navigate these unprecedented conditions.
