France vs. Iraq World Cup 2026 Match Resumes After Rain Delay in Philadelphia

Ekhbary News Agency | 2026-05-12T14:30:00Z

The World Cup 2026 fixture between Iraq and France is resuming shortly after being suspended at the end of its first half due to adverse weather conditions in Philadelphia. Both teams' players have returned to the pitch and are currently warming up amidst heavy rainfall, in preparation for the second half of the match, which had been halted for nearly thirty minutes. The first half of the game, concluding with France ahead 1-0, was part of the second round in Group I of the group stage for the tournament currently underway in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, played under rainy skies. During the interval between halves, the decision was made to suspend play due to the ongoing poor weather, leading to the evacuation of spectators. The stadium announcer urged fans to move to safe, sheltered areas. A FIFA official confirmed that the match in Philadelphia would be delayed by at least thirty minutes, encompassing the scheduled 15-minute halftime break. France held a 1-0 lead at halftime, courtesy of a goal from their captain and Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé in the 14th minute. The game began in dry conditions, but rain started falling late in the first half. Fans were instructed upon the halftime whistle to "vacate open areas and proceed to covered sections of the stadium." Much of Lincoln Financial Field, with a capacity exceeding 69,000, is exposed, forcing many attendees to crowd into concourses. This marks the first World Cup match to be suspended due to severe weather risks, adhering to strict U.S. protocols for thunderstorms within a 13-kilometer radius. Several matches in the 2025 Club World Cup, held in the U.S. last year, also experienced weather-related delays. U.S. regulations permit outdoor events to be postponed for at least 30 minutes if lightning is detected within a 13-kilometer range. It appears U.S. safety protocols are significantly impacting this tournament.