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France vs. Iraq becomes first World Cup match delayed by weather: What are the rules?
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- The France vs. Iraq World Cup match in Philadelphia experienced a weather delay of over two hours due to thunderstorms, marking the first weather disruption at the tournament hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
- France led 1-0 at halftime with Kylian Mbappe scoring, and after the delay, Mbappe scored again along with Ousmane Dembele, securing a 3-0 victory for France.
- The delay followed strict U.S. thunderstorm protocols requiring a 30-minute pause after the last lightning strike within an eight-mile radius, with no fixed maximum delay time before resumption or postponement.
- FIFA adheres to local safety regulations and has coordinated with meteorological and emergency agencies to manage severe weather scenarios, but it cannot override local thunderstorm protocols.
- Similar weather delays have occurred in recent tournaments in the U.S., including the Club World Cup last summer, highlighting ongoing challenges with scheduling during severe weather events.
