World Cup 2026: violent storm interrupts France – Iraq

A violent thunderstorm disrupted the match between France and Iraq on Monday, June 22 in Philadelphia, during the 2026 World Cup. At halftime, organizers ordered the evacuation of the stadium’s uncovered areas, causing a delay in the match’s resumption.

As soon as the whistle blew to signal the end of the first half, the giant screens at Lincoln Financial Field displayed an alert warning of the approaching severe storm. Spectators in the stands were immediately asked to leave the exposed areas and move to sheltered parts of the stadium.

The Philadelphia stadium, usually home to the NFL’s Eagles, saw thousands of supporters take refuge inside the building while waiting for weather conditions to improve.

A delayed restart

Soon after, FIFA issued a statement confirming that the game’s restart would be postponed by at least fifteen minutes. However, the governing body clarified that the match was not officially considered suspended, as Canadian referee Drew Fischer had already blown the halftime whistle before the storm hit.

This is the first major weather-related incident recorded since the start of the 2026 World Cup.

What’s next

Following this match, France will face Norway on June 26 in their third group stage game. Meanwhile, Iraq will play Senegal on the same day in a clash that could prove decisive for qualification.

This interruption highlights the importance of the safety protocols implemented during the tournament, especially as several North American host cities are prone to summer storms.

Nouya M'toama

Editorfr, en

Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.