The match between France and Iraq, corresponding to Group I, was temporarily suspended this Monday in Philadelphia, United States, due to a thunderstorm affecting the area.
The interruption occurred at the beginning of the second half. At the end of the first half, the stadium’s public address system asked fans to leave the outdoor areas and seek shelter inside the venue, as part of the security protocols established for this type of weather phenomenon.
According to current regulations, once the alert is activated, the match must be suspended for at least 30 minutes. This period allows us to evaluate the weather conditions and guarantee the safety of players, referees and fans.
At the time of the suspension, France was beating Iraq 1-0, thanks to a goal from Kylian Mbappé in the 14th minute. The decision to suspend the match was not unfounded. Minutes before, the United States National Weather Service (NWS) had issued a tornado warning for the Philadelphia area, raising concerns about safety at the stadium.
This incident represents the first suspension in this 2026 World Cup due to weather conditions, an issue that had already generated concern before the start of the tournament. Much of the United States has a high probability of thunderstorms at this time of year, a situation that could affect other events.
In fact, the meteorological services had already warned of possible storms and rain during the day, so the organization contemplated the possibility of delays or interruptions.
So far, the match remains temporarily suspended and an official communication regarding its resumption is awaited. France seeks to maintain its good start in the tournament and get closer to qualifying for the round of 16, while Iraq tries to react after a difficult start in Group I.