‘Never seen that’: America reacts to unusual changeroom scene at Club World Cup

Football fans were left surprised by an unusual scene inside a powerhouse team’s change room at the Club World Cup in America.

If you can’t handle the heat, head to the sheds.

Borussia Dortmund defeated South African team Mamelodi Sundowns 4-3 in their FIFA Club World Cup match on Sunday (AEST) to move into second spot in Group F.

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The expanded Club World Cup is being held in America and the summer heat at Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium proved too hot to handle for some of the players.

Substitute players from German side Dortmund retreated to their changerooms during the change to escape the heat, watching the game on a TV screen.

Temperatures reached 30.5 degrees celsius (87 degrees fahrenheit) in Cincinnati during the game, but the sight of Dortmund’s bench players seeking refuge from the heat took some fans by surprise.

American sports commentator Joe Pompliano said: “I’ve never seen that before.”

Borussia Dortmund's bench is watching their Club World Cup match from the locker room because of the heat.

It is currently 87 degrees (30.5 degrees Celsius) in Cincinnati, Ohio where the match is being played.

(via @BVB) pic.twitter.com/zVxry6k7iL

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 21, 2025

One person commented: “This is normal weather. Euro countries can’t handle this is too funny.”

A second said: “Humidity over 50 per cent as well. Feels like 96 degrees according weather app.”

A third said: “Lol, just came back from my men’s league game, it’s 100 (degrees) right now.”

Another said: “30.5 degrees and they are acting this way. They shouldn’t come to Africa.”

Players were doing their best to stay hydrated during the game and applied ice packs to their necks in an effort to stay cool.

Borussia Dortmund's Serhou Guirassy tries to stay cool. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Next year’s FIFA World Cup will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico in July to July.

For the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the stadiums used an airconditioning system to maintain comfortable temperatures for players and fans despite the desert heat.

Borussia Dortmund's Ramy Bensebaini (5) covers himself with a wet towel. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

As for the game itself, Dortmund held off Mamelodi Sundowns to win a seven-goal thriller.

Jobe Bellingham got his first goal for Dortmund as his new club overcame stifling heat in Cincinnati to beat Sundowns 4-3 and move to four points from two matches in Group F.

The South African champions had taken a surprise early lead through a fine solo goal from Lucas Ribeiro.

However, Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams handed Dortmund their equaliser on a plate, passing the ball straight to Felix Nmecha, who stroked home.

Serhou Guirassy gave Dortmund the lead with his 35th goal since the beginning of the season.

English midfielder Bellingham, who this month followed older brother Jude’s footsteps in joining the German side from Sunderland, started for the first time for Dortmund and made it 3-1 just before the break.

Jobe Bellingham, brother of Jude, scored for Borussia Dortmund. Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images/AFP.

Khuliso Mudau’s own goal made it 4-1 before the hour mark, but Sundowns salvaged some pride by reducing the deficit through Iqraam Rayners and Lebo Mothiba.

“I’m sweating like I’ve just come out of a sauna,” said Dortmund coach Niko Kovac when asked about the conditions in a game which started at midday local time.

“It was tough going for both teams, but the opposition are used to it. We certainly didn’t give our best performance, but that wasn’t possible today.” Sundowns will still go into their final game in Group F with a chance of qualifying for the last 16.

“The boys made a wonderful performance … it was a hell of a match. I’m not happy but very proud,” said their Portuguese coach, Miguel Cardoso.

Mamelodi Sundowns and Borussia Dortmund played out a seven-goal thriller. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Mbappe release from hospital

Meanwhile, Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe was released from hospital after undergoing tests and treatment after suffering gastroenteritis, before later being released.

Mbappe did not travel to Charlotte for the team’s Club World Cup match against Pachuca, but could be back for the final group stage game, coach Xabi Alonso said.

“He’s doing better, he’s back from the hospital and is recovering. We’re optimistic about having him against Salzburg,” Alonso said.

Madrid face Salzburg in the final game of Group H on Thursday in Philadelphia.

Mbappe, 26, missed the opening game with the same illness as Madrid were held 1-1 by Al-Hilal in Xabi Alonso’s debut as coach.

Madrid B-team player Gonzalo Garcia, 21, started in Mbappe’s stead and opened the scoring for Real Madrid against their Saudi Arabian opponents.

— With AFP

Originally published as ‘Never seen that’: America reacts to unusual changeroom scene at Club World Cup