2026 World Cup matches at risk of suspension, delay due to severe weather
World Cup fixtures could face significant disruption due to severe weather conditions, as FIFA regulations do not set a fixed cut-off point for suspending or abandoning matches.
Under U.S. thunderstorm safety protocols, play must be stopped immediately if lightning or electrical activity is detected within an eight-mile radius of a stadium.
Players are then escorted off the pitch and taken to dressing rooms, while supporters are directed to designated safe areas inside the venue.
Once lightning is detected within the zone, a 30-minute countdown begins. If no further strikes occur during that period, the match can resume. However, any additional lightning resets the timer back to zero, with the cycle continuing until a full 30-minute window passes without further activity.
While FIFA is not responsible for enforcing these local protocols and cannot override them, the rules could still result in matches being delayed for several hours.
FIFA also does not specify a maximum duration for postponements before a match must be cancelled, instead assessing each situation on a case-by-case basis. Such delays could also create major scheduling complications throughout the tournament.
Last month, world football’s governing body issued a detailed statement on how extreme weather could affect the competition.
“FIFA’s emergency preparedness team meets regularly with national meteorological and emergency management authorities in the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as with partners across all 16 Host Cities,” the statement read.
“A comprehensive, tournament-wide preparedness exercise focusing on severe weather scenarios has further strengthened cross-agency coordination and operational readiness.
“Stadiums are required to maintain robust risk management and evacuation procedures, including lightning and severe weather protocols aligned with local legislation and international best practice.”
The statement added that FIFA will monitor conditions in real time, using Wet Bulb Globe Temperature and Heat Index systems, and will be ready to activate contingency plans if extreme weather occurs.
Concerns are heightened by previous disruptions in U.S.-hosted tournaments. During last summer’s Club World Cup, several matches were delayed by severe conditions, including Chelsea’s clash with Benfica in Charlotte, which lasted four hours and 38 minutes after a lengthy suspension.
The game was halted for around two hours, with then-Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca describing the situation as a “joke”.
“I can understand that for security reasons, you have to suspend the game. But if you suspend seven or eight games, that means that probably this is not the right place to do this competition,” he said.
With similar weather patterns expected at the upcoming World Cup, concerns remain that heat and thunderstorms could once again play a major role in disrupting fixtures.
Vanguard News
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