Games at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States could face hours-long delays due to severe weather. FIFA has no fixed rule on when to abandon matches postponed by storms.
U.S. thunderstorm protocols require immediate play stoppage if lightning strikes within an eight-mile radius of any stadium. Players must leave the pitch and retreat to dressing rooms while fans move to safe zones.
Once lightning is detected, officials start a 30-minute countdown before play can resume. Any fresh lightning strike during that window resets the timer completely.
This could stretch delays to several hours without a clear endpoint. FIFA must follow U.S. weather safety rules but hasn't set its own maximum delay limits.
The expanded 48-team tournament will span across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Scheduling headaches loom as a result.
Last month, FIFA released its contingency plans for extreme weather scenarios. The organisation said its emergency team meets regularly with meteorological authorities in all three nations.
"A comprehensive tournament-wide preparedness exercise focusing on severe weather scenarios has further strengthened cross-agency coordination and operational readiness," FIFA stated in a document.
All stadiums must maintain evacuation procedures aligned with local laws and international standards. Real-time weather monitoring using heat index and wet bulb globe temperature systems will track conditions throughout matches.
This isn't purely hypothetical risk either. During last year's FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, thunderstorms disrupted several matches.
Chelsea's game against Benfica in Charlotte became especially problematic. Multiple weather interruptions stretched the match beyond four hours total.
Then-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca wasn't happy about it. He called the situation a "joke" after his team waited nearly two hours for play to resume.
Despite FIFA's assurances about preparedness, the lack of a defined delay cutoff remains problematic. Players, officials and spectators could face extended waits if storms strike.
Millions of supporters will travel across North America for matches. Weather management is shaping up to be a major operational headache for football's biggest event.
