The FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I encounter between France and Iraq resumed on Wednesday after a weather delay of approximately two hours and 15 minutes, caused by severe storms at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

The second half had been scheduled to begin at around 11:00pm UK time (6:00pm local), but lightning in the vicinity forced officials to clear both the pitch and the stands under established safety protocols. Play eventually restarted at 1:00am UK time (8:00pm local).

Hydration break scrapped as match restarts

With the lengthy stoppage already accounting for significant lost time, organisers confirmed that the second-half hydration break — standard procedure at this World Cup — would not be observed. France vs Iraq became the first match of the 2026 tournament to go without a hydration break in both halves.

France entered the break leading 1-0, courtesy of a powerful left-footed strike from captain Kylian Mbappe. The goal was his 15th at World Cup level, moving him to within three of the all-time record held by Lionel Messi, who claimed sole ownership of that mark after scoring in Argentina's victory over Austria earlier in the tournament.

Lightning protocol and the realities of open-air venues

Weather stoppages of this kind are a known hazard at outdoor World Cup stadiums. Lincoln Financial Field, one of the more exposed venues in the host cities, triggered the standard lightning protocol — which requires the ground to be evacuated when lightning is detected within roughly 10 miles.

Under the protocol, a minimum 30-minute stoppage is enforced, followed by a 15-minute window free of lightning and a further 15 minutes for players to warm up and for the surface to be cleared of standing water. Any lightning detected during the re-clearance period resets the clock entirely.

Similar weather concerns had also hung over Norway vs Senegal, the other Group I fixture played the same evening, which also had a scheduled kickoff of 1:00am UK time.

With no further delays anticipated, France vs Iraq was expected to conclude before 2:00am UK time — and Mbappe, with an eye on Messi's record, will have been eager to add to his tally in the remaining 45 minutes.