PHILADELPHIA — Heavy rain and thunderstorms caused the first weather delay of the 2026 World Cup, forcing France’s match against Iraq to be suspended for more than two hours during halftime before Les Bleus completed a 3-0 victory on Monday.
The halftime break at Lincoln Financial Field lasted two hours and 10 minutes after severe weather, including lightning and heavy rain, prompted officials to suspend play for safety reasons.
An electronic screen displays a message asking attendees to seek shelter due to the weather conditions of France during the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match France against Iraq, in Philadelphia. — EPA
Halftime began at 5:50 p.m. local time, with the match eventually resuming at 8 p.m., making it one of the longest weather interruptions in modern World Cup history.
France, leading 1-0 at the break, returned to score twice more after the delay, with Kylian Mbappé netting his second goal of the night as Didier Deschamps’ side secured a place in the knockout stage.
“It’s a question of safety,” Deschamps said. “You can’t fight against rain and lightning. We have to adapt.”
Fans were instructed to leave their seats and move to covered areas inside the stadium as severe thunderstorms passed through Philadelphia. Thousands of spectators gathered in concourses and under balconies while heavy rain drenched the pitch.
FIFA protocols require play to be suspended for at least 30 minutes whenever lightning is detected within an eight-mile radius, with each additional strike resetting the clock.
Stadium personnel inspect the pitch ahead of the second half of the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match France against Iraq, in Philadelphia. — EPA
Players returned to the field to warm up after nearly 100 minutes, while ground crews used squeegees to remove standing water from the soaked playing surface.
France defender Jules Koundé said the team had little choice but to adapt to the unusual circumstances.
“I think that’s out of our control, so we just needed to adapt, and I think we did that pretty well,” he said.
Iraq coach Graham Arnold admitted the lengthy interruption created an additional mental challenge for both teams.
“It’s the first time I’ve experienced it in football as a coach or a player,” Arnold said. “I told the players: who’s going to switch on mentally?”
The weather interruption marked the first rain delay of the expanded 48-team tournament and one of the rare occasions in World Cup history that a match has been suspended after kickoff because of severe weather.
Despite the conditions, France remained in control after the restart to defeat Iraq 3-0 and continue its strong start to the tournament.
Source: Saudi Gazette