Another World Cup match could be under threat as local officials issue alert to all fans

The World Cup group stage match between Norway and Senegal could be placed under threat - with the fixture between France and Iraq already under a First Alert warning.

A forecast of possible torrential downpours and damaging wind has been issued for parts of the Philadelphia region, which hosts the France versus Iraq fixture, on Monday afternoon and evening.

The First Alert is in place between 3pm and 11pm local time, with the match kicking off at 5pm.

The 'greater threat' is said to be in the evening hours, via a combination of 'heavy rain, damaging wind and isolated tornado threat'.

FIFA must follow official US government protocol in relation to lightning threat, and the match could be suspended or postponed.

READ MORE: What FIFA guidance says on France vs Iraq postponement with World Cup clash under First Alert

World Cup regulations state that, in the event of the match being unable to be completed as planned, it would be rescheduled and then resumed from the minute it was stopped.

But it is not the only fixture at risk of inclement weather.

On Monday, the US National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch warning for parts of New Jersey, which will host the Group I clash between Norway and Senegal.

The warning is in effect from Monday afternoon through to late, and states that 'flooding caused by excess rainfall is possible'.

The match is due to be played at the MetLife Stadium, which hosted the opening Group I fixture between France and Senegal and also the Group B clash between Brazil and Morocco.

Burgon County, the area in which the stadium is situated, is included within the Flood Watch warning.

The NWS state that showers and potential thunderstorms are expected to 'move through the area' this afternoon and tonight, and could produce 'up to around two inches of rainfall per hour' as well as the threat of flash flooding.

Since then, supporters who have arrived in New York City have described the severity of the rainfall, with storms having already hit the region before kick-off.

NYC officials issue urgent alert ahead of Norway vs Senegal

Officials in New York have taken precautions ahead of the fixture, which kicks off at 8pm local time (1am UK time), by issuing a Gridlock Alert Day warning for the entirety of Monday.

The alert covers the threat of significant travel disruption, citing the kick-off time and expected heavy traffic.

But more significantly, it also covers the potential for severe weather, including 'strong thunderstorms and heavy rain'.

Street closures will be in place and officials are encouraging all fans travelling to the MetLife Stadium to 'avoid unnecessary road travel and monitor local weather forecast for the latest updates'.

Mayor Mamdani releases statement

Zohran Mamdani, the Mayor of New York City, issued a travel advisory statement to his Twitter (X) account in the early hours of Monday morning in which he warned of potential inclement weather.

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani has issued a travel advisory warning to residents (Image: Getty)

"Rain will likely begin late in the morning, intensify throughout the afternoon, and continue overnight," he wrote. "We may experience severe thunderstorms with wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph.

"Plan now to stay safe during dangerous conditions. Exercise caution while travelling. Take public transit wherever possible. Never walk, bike or drive through floodwaters. If rain and storms are severe, seek shelter indoors and wait for conditions to improve before travelling. No destination is worth risking your safety. Stay out of flooded basements."

Mamdani has also encouraged people in New York City to sign up for emergency alerts.