Inter Miami and Sporting Kansas City are set to play a highly unusual soccer game due to extremely cold weather conditions. The forecasted wind chill is expected to be -9 degrees at kickoff, with temperatures potentially falling to -11 degrees by 9 p.m.
The decision to proceed with the match was made by CONCACAF, citing player and fan safety as the top priority. However, there are no CONCACAF or FIFA rules that explicitly account for cold temperatures, leaving many to question whether it’s safe for players to compete in such conditions.
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami’s star player, is expected to participate despite the concerns over his health and safety. The team’s head coach, Javier Mascherano, assured reporters that Messi will play, but fans are skeptical given the unusual circumstances.
The coldest MLS game on record was a March 2019 match in Colorado, which clocked in at 18 degrees Fahrenheit. In contrast, this Kansas City-Miami game is expected to be even colder, with wind chills potentially dropping below -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit).
The decision to play the game despite the extreme cold has raised questions about player safety and the adequacy of existing rules. While some clubs in cold-weather cities have shown adaptability, others have expressed concerns over playing in such conditions.
Ultimately, Lionel Messi’s participation will depend on his own decision, but his team’s priority is likely to be their chances in the Champions Cup, one of their key competitions.
Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/inter-miami-and-kansas-city-might-play-the-coldest-soccer-game-ever-will-messi-005206330.html