CHARLOTTE — Futbol fans gathered in Uptown Charlotte on Tuesday afternoon at the FIFA World Cup match at the Bank of America Stadium where Benfica finished top of Group C at the Club World Cup after beating Bayern Munich 1-0.
This event was part of the FIFA Club World Cup, a prestigious four-week tournament that showcases 32 clubs from 20 different nations.
Sunday’s matchup between Real Madrid and Pachuca drew significant attention, setting the stage for today’s anticipated game.
“We used to this”
On Tuesday, Channel 9’s Evan Donovan spoke with fans about watching the match-up in the extreme heat.
Danny Lopes explained how he and his friends came down to Charlotte from Boston, but they are originally from the Cape Verde Islands.
So the heat in our area was nothing to them.
“Ah, no, we’re from Africa. We used to this,” said Lopes. “Just a normal day. Just a normal day.”
However, fan Steve Reis from New Jersey said he thought the tournament was poorly organized.
“Games in Europe are usually at nighttime, not during the day. Plus, you have to think about it: the reason why some of these stadiums are half empty is not only because the venues are super big but also because during the day people work,” Reis explained.
Fan Frank McGonagill said he thought it was worse than a Panthers game in September.
“It’s crazy, yeah. I can’t imagine playing football, American football, in all this,” said McGonagill.
Extreme Heat
With extreme temperatures hitting the Charlotte region, it is important to take precautions to protect from heat-related illnesses during the match.
According to Bank of America Stadium, medical professionals from Atrium Health will be available to provide emergency care to fans and staff. There are six care centers located throughout the stadium and two mobile carts that provide medical care.
Emergency care stations are located on the 100, 300, and 500 levels of the stadium.
Fans in need of assistance can text 704-GET-HELP with a seat and section location for immediate response.
Bank of America Stadium also allows guests to bring two sealed 16.9-ounce bottles of unflavored water into the game.
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