World Cup matches could be delayed for hours after FIFA ruling decision
World Cup matches could be delayed for hours after FIFA ruling decision
Sian JonesThu, June 4, 2026 at 4:03 PM UTC
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World Cup matches could face lengthy weather delays just like at last summer's Club World Cup -Credit:Getty Images (Getty Images)
World Cup fixtures could face significant delays in the event of severe weather, as FIFA regulations do not set a fixed cut-off point for abandoning matches.
Under U.S. thunderstorm safety protocols, play must be suspended immediately if lightning or electrical discharge is detected within an eight-mile radius of a stadium. Players are taken off the pitch and moved to dressing rooms, while supporters are directed to designated safe areas inside the venue.
Once a strike is recorded within the zone, a 30-minute countdown begins. If no further lightning is detected during that period, the match can resume. However, any additional strike within the window resets the clock back to zero, with the process repeating until a full 30 minutes passes without further activity. It comes after FIFA made a U-turn to ban fans from taking water bottles to matches.
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Although FIFA is not responsible for enforcing protocols and cannot override them, the rules could still result in World Cup fixtures being delayed for several hours. FIFA itself does not specify a maximum delay before a match must be abandoned, instead assessing situations on a case-by-case basis. Any postponement would also create wider scheduling complications across the tournament.
Last month, football's global governing body issued a detailed statement outlining how adverse weather conditions could impact matches during the competition.
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"FIFA's emergency preparedness team meets regularly with national meteorological and emergency management authorities in the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as with partners across all 16 Host Cities," the statement read.
"A comprehensive, tournament-wide preparedness exercise focusing on severe weather scenarios has further strengthened cross-agency coordination and operational readiness.
A fixture taking place at a stadium must be immediately suspended if lightning or electrical discharge is detected within an eight-mile radius of the venue. -Credit:Getty Images
"Stadiums are required to maintain robust risk management and evacuation procedures, including lightning and severe weather protocols aligned with local legislation and international best practice."
The statement also confirms that FIFA will monitor conditions in real time, using Wet Bulb Globe Temperature and Heat Index surveillance systems, and says it will be ready to activate established contingency protocols in the event of extreme weather.
During last summer's Club World Cup in the United States, several matches were disrupted by severe conditions, including Chelsea's clash with Benfica in Charlotte, which lasted four hours and 38 minutes after a prolonged weather delay. The match was halted for around two hours, with then-Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca describing the situation as a "joke". "I can understand that for security reasons, you have to suspend the game. But if you suspend seven or eight games, that means that probably this is not the right place to do this competition," he said.
With similar conditions expected at this summer's World Cup, concerns remain that heat and extreme weather could once again play a significant role in disrupting fixtures.
It comes after Donald Trump called the FIFA boss 'a piece of work' after finding out key Iran news from a reporter.
Source: “AOL Sports”
