Cincinnati, United States — Borussia Dortmund’s coach Niko Kovac has a hot take—literally—on who will win this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup. It won’t necessarily be the team with the most famous players or the best strategies. According to Kovac, it will be the team that handles the extreme heat and humidity the best.
The tournament is taking place in the United States, during one of the hottest summers in recent memory. On Wednesday, Dortmund will play against Ulsan HD, a strong team from South Korea, in the city of Cincinnati. The weather forecast? A boiling 34 degrees Celsius (around 93°F) with lots of humidity, which makes it feel even hotter. Kovac believes these intense conditions will make a huge difference in the games.
“I think that this tournament will be decided not by the best team, but by the team that can adapt to these weather conditions the best,” he said during a press conference at TQL Stadium on Tuesday. “That team will probably win this tournament.”
Borussia Dortmund, a famous club from Germany, already played one match in the heat last Saturday. They faced Mamelodi Sundowns, a team from South Africa, in a thrilling game that ended 4-3 in favor of Dortmund. But it wasn’t just the scoreline that caught everyone’s attention—it was how the players handled the heat.
During that game, Dortmund’s substitutes (the players not in the game but ready to come in) tried everything to avoid the sun. In the first half, they stayed in the cool dressing room, watching the match from inside. In the second half, they came out but stayed under umbrellas near the bench to avoid the sun’s direct rays.
“Our boys are very well taken care of by our doctors and the medical staff,” said Kovac. “We’re doing everything we can to help the players stay healthy and ready to play in these hot conditions.”
To deal with the heat, Dortmund’s medical team has created a plan. First, they use very cold towels soaked in ice water to help cool down the players’ heads and necks. After the match or during breaks, players also sit with their legs in cold water or ice baths. These steps help bring down their body temperature quickly and avoid overheating.
“We try to make the right decisions,” said Kovac. “We know the heat is dangerous, so we’re being extra careful.”
But staying cool isn’t just about cooling down. Kovac warned that getting too cold too quickly can also be risky for athletes.
“We also have to be careful with air conditioning,” he said. “It’s not good to go from really hot weather outside to very cold air inside all the time. That can make players sick.”
And unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened to one of Dortmund’s young stars—Jamie Gittens. There have been lots of rumors in the media that Gittens might be moving to the English club Chelsea, but Kovac cleared things up. Gittens isn’t missing the match because of a transfer—he’s actually sick.
“There are a lot of rumors going around, but Jamie is not playing because he’s not feeling well,” Kovac explained. “He has a clogged nose and a scratchy throat. It’s probably because he’s been in the air conditioning too much.”
That’s a problem many people don’t think about during summer sports events. While air conditioning can help cool things down, it can also lead to sudden changes in temperature, which might weaken the immune system and make it easier to get sick.
“It’s part of the game,” Kovac said with a shrug. “These things happen when you’re playing in extreme weather.”
A Mental and Physical Challenge
The Club World Cup brings together the best teams from different continents. But unlike many other tournaments, this year’s version is being held in very hot and sticky summer conditions. That means the players need to be strong both physically and mentally.
Playing soccer in such hot weather is not just tiring, it can also be dangerous. Heat exhaustion, dehydration, and even heatstroke are real risks. That’s why coaches like Kovac are being so careful with how they manage their teams.
“We want to keep the players safe,” he said. “It’s not just about winning. It’s about making sure everyone stays healthy.”
That’s why Dortmund is giving players lots of breaks, using cooling towels, and making sure the players are drinking plenty of water and electrolyte drinks during and after the games.
Other teams will be facing the same problems. Some players may come from cooler climates and might not be used to the heat. Others, like teams from Africa or Asia, may already be more used to playing in warm weather. That could give them a small advantage.
Dortmund’s Next Big Test
Now, all eyes are on Dortmund’s next match against Ulsan HD. The Korean team is known for being well-organized and quick on the counter-attack. They will also be looking to make it out of Group F and into the last 16 of the Club World Cup.
If Dortmund wins, they’ll take a big step toward qualifying. But more than that, they’ll show that they can handle the heat, literally.
“This tournament is about more than just soccer skills,” said Kovac. “It’s about strength, teamwork, and being smart in tough conditions.”
No one knows yet who will win the Club World Cup. But if Kovac is right, it might come down to more than just scoring goals—it might come down to who sweats the smartest.
