Canada players upset with heat conditions in KC after referee collapses at Copa America

Outside of a goal and red card, one of the biggest moments in Tuesday’s match between Canada and Peru at Children’s Mercy Park — a 1-0 Canada win — came late in the first half.

Assistant referee Humberto Panjoj collapsed on the field, apparently due to the heat conditions.

Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau sprinted to help the referee, who was out of eyesight of everyone else on the field as a corner kick took place at the other end.

“Out of the corner of my eyes I saw him go down,” Crepeau said. “At that point, football does not matter.”

The heat index hovered around 100 degrees during the first half of the match, which began at 5 o’clock. The side of the field where Panjoj was officiating was directly in the sun.

“I was happy that he was conscious,” Crepeau said. “I got the news that he’s fine now, so thank God. But we need to address that.”

Crepeau noted there was no water break given after the 30th minute of the match either, which is customary in high-heat conditions.

“I don’t care what people say, health of the people on the field — players and officials — that needs to be looked at,” Crepeau said.

It extended to the fans, too.

The stands in the usually full Cauldron (Sporting KC supporters section) end saw fans cramming into one side — that was in the shade — with supporters choosing to stay out of the sun. They inched over to fill the section as the sun set and shade eventually began to cover the section.

Other fans went to the concourses while their sections were in the sun.

“I can only imagine what it looked like on TV or what it looked like to the fans because it didn’t really feel like a football (match) being out there,” Canada defender Alistair Johnston said. “It’s one of those kind of matches that the conditions you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy.”

So what’s the solution, as World Cup 2026 draws nearer?

GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium isn’t a climate-controlled environment, and there is no shade for the upper bowl of the stadium with awnings or roof coverings. Plus, fans of soccer love their pre-match partying, even if it isn’t a traditional tailgate setting.

Johnston suggested a harder look at kickoff times.

“It can’t be a 5 o’clock kickoff,’ Johnston said. “That’s the simplest one. ... It’s gotta be an 8 or 9 o’clock kickoff. Because honestly, it’s not even safe for the fans.”

The next Copa America match in Kansas City is Monday night at Arrowhead, when the United States takes on Uruguay at 8 p.m.