Introduction
The 2026 World Cup is underway, and the weather has been a significant factor in the matches. Recently, FIFA had to interrupt a match due to a storm with a risk of lightning.
The Incident
The match between France and Iraq, in Group I, was interrupted due to a storm approaching the Lincoln Financial Field stadium in Philadelphia. The heavy rain started during the first half, but the game continued normally until the end of that period.
At halftime, the conditions worsened with the approach of a storm accompanied by lightning. With the detection of electrical discharges near the stadium, the FIFA safety protocol was activated. Players had to stay in a protected area, and spectators were advised to leave the stands and seek shelter in the internal areas.
Safety Protocol
FIFA follows the rules of the authorities in the United States for storms. The country's concern about electrical storms gained strength after an incident in 2012 in Pennsylvania, the same state where France and Iraq faced each other. A NASCAR race was interrupted due to rain, and a lightning bolt hit the parking lot, killing a spectator and injuring nine others.
According to the criteria adopted in the World Cup, if a lightning bolt is detected within 13 kilometers of the stadium, the match must be suspended immediately. From the last recorded electrical discharge, a 15-minute safety count begins. If a new lightning bolt occurs during this time period, the clock is reset. Only after 15 minutes without new discharges can the athletes return to the field for a new warm-up.
Other Affected Matches
Two other World Cup matches took place under storm alerts: Norway and Senegal, at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and Uruguay and Cape Verde, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. In both games, however, there were no stops due to rain, only a hydration break.
Conclusion
The 2026 World Cup is facing significant climate challenges. The interruption of the match between France and Iraq due to a storm with a risk of lightning is an example of this. FIFA is working to ensure the safety of players and spectators, and it is essential that measures are taken to mitigate the effects of the weather on the matches.
Source / Reference
Source: ClimaInfo