A thunderstorm in Philadelphia delayed the 2026 World Cup soccer match between France and Iraq
The Group I match between France and Iraq in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup was delayed by more than two hours due to a sudden deterioration in weather conditions in Philadelphia.
Heavy rain and strong winds forced the match organizers to postpone the start of the second half for safety reasons.
Despite the lengthy delay, the match was successfully completed.
Almost immediately after the end of the first half, in which France held a narrow lead, the stadium announcer announced a temporary 15-minute break.
However, the weather conditions deteriorated significantly, and the forced break lasted more than two hours.
According to FIFA regulations, matches must be stopped, and fans must leave the stands for at least half an hour if lightning is detected within an 8-mile radius of the stadium.
Each new flash of lightning automatically extends the pause by another 30 minutes.
The game eventually resumed and concluded around 3:55 a.m. Kyiv time. The organizers decided to cancel the traditional water breaks to make up for lost time.
The match ended with a convincing 3–0 victory for France, thanks to a brace by Kylian Mbappé and a goal by Ousmane Dembélé.
“During the break, we played cards in the locker room. We were waiting because we had time slots, and they kept getting rescheduled. The most important thing for me was to get 20 minutes to warm up again and not take any risks. This is the first time in my life I’ve had such a long break, and I hope it’s the last. I’m not angry. We were calm; I was joking with the players. It’s a matter of safety. I don’t hold a grudge against anyone. If there’s even the slightest risk, we follow local rules. I respect that,” said France national team head coach Didier Deschamps.
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The 2026 World Cup group stage match between France and Iraq was in jeopardy due to adverse weather conditions in Philadelphia.
At the 2026 World Cup, being held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the second round of group stage matches took place.
