France vs Iraq at severe risk just hours before kick-off

France’s second World Cup group match against Iraq is at risk of being delayed or suspended due to adverse weather.

Didier Deschamps’ side got off to a flying start in their Group I opener with a 3-1 win over Senegal, thanks to Kylian Mbappé’s brace, which saw him become the nation’s record goalscorer, and a strike from Bradley Barcola.

The fixture took place at the iconic MetLife Stadium, which will host the tournament’s final. Since last Tuesday’s match (June 16), Les Bleus have been preparing for Asian minnows Iraq, who got their tournament underway with a 4-1 loss against Norway.

The clash is set to take place at Philadelphia Stadium (formerly Gillette Stadium) but may be subject to a delay or suspension due to fears of storms hitting the area.

FIFA officials are reportedly preparing to enforce official protocol should storms occur.

FIFA rules, based on local authority requirements set out by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), state that a game must be halted or delayed if lightning strikes within eight miles of a stadium, with fans removed from their seats.

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All players must be removed from the pitch and seek shelter before being allowed a short warm-up ahead of the resumption of the game once they are permitted to return to the field of play.

The match can only resume when there has been no lightning for a period of 30 minutes.

Official NOAA guidance states that activities must be stopped when "you see lightning", "you hear thunder", or "the skies look threatening".

Is there a cut-off point for weather suspensions?

No, there is nothing to suggest there is a cut-off point at which a match is completely abandoned, with FIFA acting on a case-by-case basis. No maximum time players must wait has been confirmed.

Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Miami and New Jersey are the host cities most susceptible to electrical storms, while Mexico City and Monterrey also regularly experience similar conditions.

However, such weather is not usually a problem in Philadelphia.

If a match cannot be completed, it would generally be resumed from the minute it was stopped on the rescheduled date.

What have local officials said?

Speaking to NBC10, Lauren Lambrugo, Chief Operating Officer of Philadelphia Soccer 2026, explained the protocol that will be followed should lightning occur.

“They'll start to evacuate the stadium to the main concourse and seek emergency shelter," she said.

“And then it has to wait 30 minutes before they bring everybody back onto the field.”

When asked if the match could be postponed, she replied: “They will make sure that the match is broadcast and played tomorrow.”