Sniffer dogs had to wear CROCS to protect paws in the searing heat during Chelsea's defeat by Flamengo at the Club World Cup

The Club World Cup heatwave has led to sniffer dogs in the United States wearing crocs to protect their paws from the red hot pavements, as was the case at Chelsea’s group-game loss to Flamengo.

The Blues lost that match 3-1 in the humidity of the open Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, where a ‘Heat Health Emergency’ has been declared.

Chelsea will play again in Philly on Tuesday, against ES Tunis. Temperatures that day are due to spike at 39C. Even with Enzo Maresca’s side playing at 9pm, it is forecast to remain around 35C at that time.

That will test Chelsea’s players but also the panting pooches needed to make the event as secure as possible.

The weather is Philadelphia has been particularly troublesome as, while the heat and humidity have been dangerously high, a tornado alert was also pinged to mobile phones earlier this week.