FRANCE against Iraq has been suspended due to a severe storm.
via a Kylian Mbappe goal when a heavy downpour hit Philadelphia.
Fans were forced to evacuate their seats Credit: AFP
The match could be called off Credit: Getty
Supporters were forced to and the game has been halted indefinitely.
might be and here are the rules if they do.
What happens if a World Cup 2026 match is postponed?
regulations state that a game must restart on a future date if it is called off halfway through.
The match would begin again from the same time it stopped rather than be re-played from the beginning.
Therefore, if a game is postponed in the 78th minute, players will return another day to play the remaining 12 minutes and stoppage time.
The same players must restart the game and no bonus subs or changes are permitted.
The date, time and location of the resumption will be decided by World Cup chiefs.
Fifa rules state:
- a) The match shall recommence at the minute at which play was interrupted rather than being replayed in full, and with the same scoreline
- The match shall recommence where play was stopped when the match was interrupted (e.g. with a free kick, throw‑in, goal kick, corner kick, penalty kick, etc.). If the match was abandoned while the ball was still in play, it shall restart with a dropped ball from the position of the ball when play was stopped.
- b) The match shall recommence with the same players on the pitch and substitutes available as when the match was abandoned.
- c) No additional substitutes may be added to the list of players on the start list.
- d) The teams can make only the number of substitutions to which they were still entitled when the match was abandoned.
- e) Players sent off during the abandoned match cannot be replaced.
- f) Any disciplinary measures imposed before the match was abandoned will be dealt with in accordance with the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
- g) The kick‑off time, date, location and any other matter shall be decided by FIFA.
What if a World Cup 2026 match is delayed?
Fifa must follow rules set by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
If lightning is detected within eight miles of a stadium, the game will be halted with players leaving the field and fans told to shelter out of their seats.
After a bolt of lightning strikes, a 30-minute countdown begins that resets every time another happens.
We must go half an hour without lightning for the match to resume.
There is no maximum time for a delay.
Fifa state they will judge each weather suspension on a case by case basis.
During the Club World Cup held in the US last year, Chelsea vs Benfica was halted for two hours due to a storm.
New World Cup 2026 rules
FIFA confirmed several new rules coming into play for the World Cup 2026.
They are:
- Outfield players cannot go to technical areas while goalkeeper getting treatment
- Five-second countdowns for goal-kicks and throw-ins
- Ten-second substitutions – or else one-minute sub entry delay
- One minute off field after outfield players get treatment
- Three-minute hydration breaks in each half
- VAR can intervene over fouls before ball in play for goals, penalties and disciplinary sanctions
- VAR can correct wrongly-awarded yellow cards and corners
- Red cards for covering mouth in confrontational talk
- Red cards for walking off pitch in protest
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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