PSG’s thrashing of Atlético Madrid at the Club World Cup was played under tough conditions, with temperatures reaching 31 degrees on the pitch but fans in the stands also struggled, reporting major issues with access to water inside the stadium.

Paris Saint-Germain’s 4–0 victory over Atlético Madrid in the opening match of the Club World Cup group stage should have been a celebration of elite football.

Played in Pasadena, California, the match marked a strong start for the reigning European champions, who overwhelmed their Spanish rivals with a dominant performance. But instead of the football taking center stage, the conversation quickly shifted to the extreme heat and disorganization experienced both on and off the pitch.

With the match scheduled for 12:00 p.m. local time under direct sun and soaring temperatures of 31 degrees Celsius conditions were far from ideal. The heat index made it feel even hotter, affecting players’ performances and raising questions about player safety. After the final whistle, criticism poured in from both sides. Atlético midfielder Marcos Llorente described the decision to play at midday as “unacceptable,” pointing out how the physical toll of such conditions undermines the intensity and fairness of the match. PSG coach Luis Enrique shared that view, expressing concern for the well-being of his players and suggesting that scheduling in these conditions was irresponsible.

However, the situation in the stands drew even greater outrage. Supporters attending the match described a chaotic and, at times, dangerous experience as they struggled to access drinking water. FIFA rules prohibited bringing in full bottles unless they were recyclable and empty an effort aimed at sustainability and security but the limited number of water vendors and fountains inside the stadium led to enormous queues. Many fans reported waiting up to 45 minutes just to buy a bottle of water.

Several of them spoke to The Guardian after the match. John Celmins, a local resident from Santa Barbara, said there was no simple or efficient way to stay hydrated. “You could line up at a beer stand, but there wasn’t a specific stall just for water. Even the water fountains had long queues. In that heat, it was just unacceptable.” Another attendee, Bryan González, recounted how people began filling cups at bathroom sinks and throwing water on each other’s backs to cool down. “Luckily, there were sinks near the toilets, and people just started using them. It wasn’t ideal, but we had no choice.”

What shocked many supporters even more was that the Rose Bowl an iconic stadium that frequently hosts nearly 90,000 fans for American football seemed unprepared for the 81,000 people attending the Club World Cup. Celmins, visibly frustrated, remarked that he couldn’t understand how a venue with such a reputation could fail so badly in managing something as basic as water access. “After this experience, I’m much less likely to attend another Club World Cup game. It was hot, chaotic, and poorly managed.”

The controversy has raised deeper concerns about the planning of FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup, particularly regarding kickoff times and fan safety. Scheduling games in the middle of the day during a North American summer especially in states like California, where heatwaves are increasingly common may be logistically convenient for global television, but it comes at a cost. While cooling breaks were implemented during the match, many believe that wasn’t enough under such conditions.

Experts in sports science have also weighed in, warning that prolonged exposure to high temperatures poses significant risks for athletes and spectators alike. From heat exhaustion and dehydration to impaired concentration and physical fatigue, the consequences can be serious. And with many fans left without quick or affordable access to water, the risk was just as real in the stands as it was on the pitch.

To make matters worse, reports surfaced that some vendors had run out of bottled water by halftime. Social media posts showed fans sitting in the concourses, flushed, sweating, and visibly distressed. While FIFA had promoted hydration awareness on its platforms in the lead-up to the tournament, there was little in the way of practical support or emergency adjustments on the ground.

As of now, FIFA has yet to comment officially on the situation, though pressure is mounting. Fan advocacy groups have called for immediate reviews of the water access policy, with some demanding the relaxation of bottle restrictions in high-risk weather conditions. Organizers are also being urged to provide dedicated water points and shade zones in stadiums likely to experience heat stress.

For PSG, the win puts them in a commanding position to reach the knockout stages. But for many supporters and observers, the game will be remembered more for the failure off the pitch than the performance on it. In a tournament meant to showcase the best of club football from around the globe, Sunday’s match in Pasadena served as a stark reminder that even the biggest events can fall short of delivering basic necessities. The hope now is that lessons will be learned before the heat or the backlash rises any further.