Meteorologist: 60% chance of thunderstorms could disrupt France vs. Iraq World Cup match

According to meteorologist Guillaume Sechet, there is a 60% chance that the France vs. Iraq match will be affected by thunderstorms. If lightning is detected within approximately 13 kilometers of Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, the match will be suspended for at least 30 minutes.

According to meteorologist Guillaume Sechet, the FIFA World Cup match between France and Iraq could be disrupted by a widespread thunderstorm system currently moving up the East Coast from the southern United States toward northern New York State.

Sechet stated in an interview that the probability of the match being disrupted by thunderstorms is "more than half." "We can estimate a 60% risk of thunderstorms," he explained. "The affected area is so large that it's still possible for certain locations—including Philadelphia—to escape the storms." He believes the weather situation will become clearer two to three hours before the match. "Currently, at 5 PM, the thunderstorms are still relatively far away, but they will approach quickly." He added that conditions could worsen by 10 PM, an hour before kickoff. "The problem is that once thunderstorms arrive, they tend to be strong. The worst period is when the thunderstorms first develop."

The United States has strict procedures for handling thunderstorms at sporting events. As soon as lightning is detected within approximately 13 kilometers of the stadium, the match is immediately suspended. Players must return to the locker rooms, and spectators must move to designated safe areas within the stadium. A 30-minute countdown then begins. If no lightning is detected during this period, the match can resume; if lightning reappears, the timer resets. This process continues until there have been 30 consecutive minutes without lightning.

According to The Athletic, FIFA does not specify a maximum duration for match suspensions due to adverse weather. Several matches in the Club World Cup, held in the United States in summer 2025, have already been affected by weather delays. The Round of 16 match between Chelsea and Benfica in Charlotte was disrupted by thunderstorms, with Chelsea winning 4-1 after extra time in a match that lasted 4 hours and 38 minutes, including approximately two hours of delays caused by thunderstorms.

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