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France-Iraq World Cup match in Philadelphia paused 2 hours for storms
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- A World Cup match between France and Iraq experienced a rare weather delay during halftime, lasting 2 hours and 10 minutes due to heavy rain and thunderstorms, marking the first such delay in decades.
- The delay began at 5:50 p.m. EDT and the game resumed at 8 p.m., significantly extending the scheduled 15-minute halftime break for safety reasons related to lightning and severe weather.
- Despite the challenging conditions, France defeated Iraq 3-0, with Kylian Mbappé scoring two goals, while both teams and fans adapted to the unusual circumstances.
- FIFA rules mandate a 30-minute pause if lightning is detected within 8 miles, resetting with each strike, which contributed to the extended delay.
- This incident contrasts with FIFA’s previous tendency to continue matches during extreme weather, and current World Cup regulations lack specific guidelines for weather-related delays or interruptions.
