Belgium scraps scrimmage with the US because of traffic jams

The reality of Sao Paulo hit the Belgian Red Devils World Cup preparations shortly after they arrived in the Brazilian city, due to a possible metro strike. Head coach Marc Wilmots cancelled a scrimmage set to be played against the US Thursday amid fears that his club would get stuck in traffic gridlock. The closed-door friendly match was planned weeks ago to help both clubs fine tune their rosters before the real games begin.

Wilmots said he did not want his players, who are based outside of Sao Paulo, stuck on a bus for five hours because of a transit strike that could cause traffic mayhem.

The game was planned to be a light training session held at the American’s Sao Paulo training base, which would have allowed both sides to substitute an unlimited number of players in advance of their opening matches.