France will start as the overwhelming favourite against Iraq when the two teams face off in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match in Philadelphia on Monday.

However, the two-time champion’s march to victory is likely to be delayed by the adverse weather conditions in Pennsylvania city.

What is the weather forecast for Philadelphia on Monday?

The forecast predicts heavy winds combined with thunderstorms in the late afternoon; lightning and hail storm can also impact the match at the Philadelphia stadium.

Will France vs Iraq FIFA World Cup 2026 match get delayed?

Although football games face no disruption during rain, heavy spells and thunderstorms can still force the game to be stalled.

The match official will suspend the contest in case of lightning reports within eight miles of the stadium. Apart from the players, even the spectators are expected to leave their seats and move to the concourse area and emergency shelters.

After suspension, the game can only be resumed if there is no lightning reported in a period of 30 minutes.

If the weather does not permit, the France vs Iraq game could even be postponed and completed on Tuesday when the weather conditions improve.

Have thunderstorms delayed football games before?

Thunderstorms and heavy rains disrupting football games is not that uncommon in the United States. It was a recurring problem during the FIFA Club World Cup last year.

Published on Jun 22, 2026