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The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been an exciting competition, bringing the global game of soccer to North America across co-hosts United States, Canada, and Mexico.
With soccer being such a global affair, playing in various parts of the world brings unique challenges brought on by local climates, weather patterns, and many other variables.
In North America, and the United States in particular, weather delays are a common occurrence in sports across the country, largely in stadiums that are open-topped and therefore exposed to the natural elements.
The Sporting News brings you an overview of the protocol for weather delays at 2026 World Cup matches, how long they will be stopped, when they will return, and which games have been halted so far.
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Why would a soccer match be delayed for weather?
In the United States, weather delays are far more common at outdoor stadiums than in other locations such as Europe.
Severe weather can be a relatively normal occurrence in the U.S. where thunderstorms or heavy downpours are more likely to occur.
Lightning is the most common form disruptive weather around matches. Thunderstorms can appear sometimes seemingly out of thin air and disappear just as quickly, especially in summer months.
More serious weather events can also be disruptive, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and snow, but with the World Cup being played in the U.S. summer, the latter two in particular are not viable concerns. Instead, the most common cause for a delayed game will be lightning nearby.
How long is a weather delay at the World Cup?
Most sporting events in the United States delayed by lightning follow a similar process.
The standardized protocol, which is generally followed across the country, states that if lightning strikes within a certain distance from the stadium, there is a mandatory 30-minute delay. Should another strike be detected within the radius during that delay, the timer resets.
That radius can vary by venue, location, and match officials. However, it is usually either eight miles or 10 miles.
When contacted to provide specifics by The Sporting News, FIFA would only confirm the following:
"In the event of severe weather conditions such as lightning or thunderstorms, FIFA will implement a thorough procedure based on public safety standards, providing clear and specific safety guidelines to all stakeholders involved. FIFA has dedicated meteorological support throughout the tournament to provide accurate forecasting and strengthen real-time operational decision-making."
What happens during a weather delay at the World Cup?
If a weather delay is triggered at a venue without a roof, both the playing surface and seats must be evacuated by fans, players, and staff.
Players and team officials must return to the dressing rooms at once, and fans must leave their seats and take shelter in the concourse. They must remain sheltered until the danger passes and the all-clear is sounded.
What games have been delayed by weather?
To this point, no 2026 World Cup games have been delayed by weather, but that could change.
There are possible lightning storms in the forecast for the Norway vs. Senegal match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Monday, June 22 that could affect the timing of the match.
Last summer, the game between Chelsea and Benfica in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup from Charlotte, NC was punctuated by a lightning delay that lasted nearly 90 minutes and led to heavy discussion about not only the viability of football played in the United States, but how to better handle such situations with player and fan safety in mind.
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