Lorraine McKenna
BBC Sport Journalist

Thank you, Mike. The final line of your message can perfectly segue us into some attendances chat...

Image source, Getty Images

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, however, was unperturbed by the adverse weather in the United States during the Club World Cup.

"I'm not concerned [about the heat]. I think it's part of football. You have to be able to adapt," the England international said.

"This is a great experience for me and some of the other England guys who are going to be playing next year in the World Cup. So, you know, something special about these kinds of Club World Cup games and next year will be the same."

"When you come off that pitch and you're sweating and you're dripping and you're cramping and you've given everything from the pitch, there's a special kind of feeling inside, especially when you win. That's what we have to do."

Image source, Getty Images

Things are not going to get any easier for the players as a heatwave is expected across the United States this week.

The heatwave is expected to hit the northeast of the country the hardest and nine of the 11 stadiums hosting the Club World Cup games are on the East Coast of the US.

A 'heat health emergency' has been issued for Philadelphia from Sunday to at least until Wednesday while temperature in New York is expected to hit 37.8C.

There are also high temperatures forecast for Nashville, Charlotte, Cincinnati and Washington.

Adding to the problem is the scheduling of the matches with 35 of the 63 fixtures in the tournament kicking off before 5pm and 15 starting at midday.

Only one of the 12 stadiums hosting the tournament has a roof that can be closed to protect players from high temperature - the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta - which hosts only two of the 15 12pm kick-offs.

So Chelsea will be thankful that tomorrow’s fixture with Esperance de Tunis is scheduled for 9pm local time in Philadelphia, with temperatures predicted to reach close to 39C during the day. However, by the time Enzo Maresca’s side kick off at the Lincoln Financial Field it is still likely to be 33C.

Image source, Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund gave us an idea of the conditions they are facing at the Club World Cup when they posted this photo on X.

Dortmund's substitutes kept out of the heat by watching the first half of their game against South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns from the dressing room.

"Our subs watched the first half from inside the locker room to avoid the blazing sun at TQL Stadium - never seen that before, but in this heat, it absolutely makes sense," Dortmund posted on X.

The substitutes then sheltered under umbrellas on the bench during the second half.

Image source, Getty Images

That's what Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac had to say after the German side's 4-3 win against Mamelodi Sundowns in a game that kicked off at noon local time on Saturday.

Sweltering heat has been a major concern at the tournament so far with players struggling even with Fifa allowing cooling breaks in the 30th and 75th minutes of the game.

The game between New Zealand part-timers Auckland City and Boca Juniors on Tuesday is expected to take place in 41C in Nashville at a ground with limited cover.

And it's not just heat that is causing the problems in the United States.

Games have been delayed because of thunderstorms with the second half of Benfica's game against Auckland City kicking off more than two hours late because of heavy rain and storms in Orlando.

Fifa said it "will continue to monitor the weather conditions in coordination with the venue teams to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved."

"Fifa's top priority is the health of everyone involved in football, and Fifa's medical experts have been in regular contact with the clubs participating to address heat management and acclimatisation."

Image source, Getty Images

The Club World Cup is Fifa president Gianni Infantino's passion project, but the tournament, that kicked off in the United States on 14 June, has been marred with an array of issues - ranging from the meteorological to the political.

With the international men's World Cup set to take place in the US, Canada and Mexico in less than a year's time, the challenges pose the world football's governing body not just questions for the ongoing event but also for the next summer.

So, let's take a look at some of the issues that have bugged the Club World Cup:

• Unfavourable weather conditions
• Uneven interest in the tournament
• Huge gulf in quality of teams
• Fixture congestion and player burnout
• Politicisation of the sport
• Rich clubs getting even richer

While we dive into each of these issues, do let us know what your biggest beef is with the tournament...

The Club World Cup conversation is in full flow, so let's do another little round-up of all the main talking points.

• Man City cruise to a 6-0 victory over UAE Pro League side Al Ain, as long-term absentee Rodri gets more minutes in the tank ahead of the Premier League season
• Ilkay Gundogan says he is "very happy" at Man City, after being linked with a move to Galatasaray, but where does the midfielder fit into Pep Guardiola's team now?
• Jude Bellingham complains about the Club World Cup pitches and confirms shoulder surgery
• What six innovations have Fifa introduced for the tournament's return?
• And you have had your say on whether you like them or not.

With the event drawing its fair share of controversy, we're also going to look at some of the main criticisms shortly...

Image source, Getty Images

Though the opposition to the Club World Cup has been resounding on this live page since morning, it's a hard-fought draw between Fifa and the BBC Sport readers, as far as new innovations at the tournament are concerned.

After the votes, the honours are even with the semi-automated offside technology helping Fifa get a late equaliser to make it 3-3.

Our readers loved the eight-second rule for goalkeepers, in-stadium VAR replays and the semi-automated offside technology at the Club World Cup.

But maybe it's time for Fifa to scrap the Superior Player of the Match, individual player walk-ons and the Ref cam?

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Officials are using an accelerated semi-automated offside technology that will tell them to stop the game immediately if a player who is more than 10cm offside touches the ball.

It is aimed at reducing needless delays.

Assistant referees will receive the notification instantly rather than having to wait for the technology to check positions and distances - as is the case with semi-automated offside (SAO) systems used in most major leagues.

SAO was introduced into the Premier League on 12 April.

The introduction of the enhanced SAO comes after Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi suffered a serious abdominal injury against Leicester City.

The Nigerian crashed into the post after play was allowed to continue despite a player being in an offside position.

What do you think of the new technology? Vote below - thumbs up for good and thumbs down for bad.

Image source, Getty Images

Spot on, Chris and Mohamed. You both have won... our respect!

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The Superior Player Award is given to the player of the match from each game - and is decided by a public vote.

The vote is open between minutes 60 and 88 via FIFA+.

Winners of the Superior Player Award at the Club World Cup so far include Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Vitinha (Paris St-Germain), Pedro Neto (Chelsea) and Phil Foden (Manchester City).

Its name stems from tournament sponsors Michelob - an American beer brand.

The name 'Man of the Match' was changed to 'Player of the Match' at the 2022 World Cup.

Following Inter Miami's 0-0 draw with Al Ahly in the opening game of the tournament, Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari was the first player named Superior Player of the Match.

Do you like the 'Player of the Match' variation? Vote below - thumbs up to keep it and thumbs down to scrap it.

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

As in previous Fifa tournaments, the on-pitch referee will communicate VAR decisions - and the reasons for them - to supporters in the stadium.

For the first time, fans at the match will be able to see the replays the officials are being shown.

However, there will still be no broadcast of the discussions in the VAR hub.

Former international referee Pierluigi Collina urged patience for those who cannot understand why football is not yet implementing something commonplace in rugby, cricket and all major American sports.

"I cannot tell you if something more might be added in the future," he said. "But we need to do it when we are sure this will not affect the decision-making process."

Do you think this is a positive step forward for VAR? Vote below - thumbs up for yes and thumbs down for no.

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

'Ref cam' shows live images from referees' bodycams before a game, in the tunnel, during the warm-up and at the coin toss.

Unlike rugby union, no live images are shown during the game and - although goals and moments of skill will be shown with a delay - anything controversial or in bad taste, such as a player suffering a nasty injury, will not appear.

Images will be available to the video assistant referee (VAR), but that is not the purpose of the innovation.

The footage of the challenge that led to Manchester City defender Rico Lewis being sent off during their opening match with Wydad Casablanca was broadcast - but the red card had already been shown.

Former international referee Pierluigi Collina says the technology is mainly an entertainment concept.

What it will do, Fifa believes, is show the game from a unique vantage point and "enhance the storytelling".

Do you like the new addition? Vote below!