What are FIFA's 2026 World Cup weather protocols for lightning, thunderstorms and heat after France v Iraq and Mexico v Ecuador delays?
By Ben Morse
Updated 01/07/2026 at 03:28 GMT+1
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After last year's FIFA Club World Cup, where multiple games were suspended due to lightning and thunderstorms, the possibility of further delays at the 2026 World Cup in North America this summer was always high.
General view inside the stadium as lightning is seen during a weather delay before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Mexico and Ecuador at Mexico City Stadium
Image credit: Getty Images
The most notable delay last summer came in Chelsea's last-16 match against Benfica, which finished over four hours after it began because of lightning in Charlotte.
The 2026 World Cup saw its first weather-related delay as France's 3-0 victory over Iraq in Philadelphia was suspended for over two hours due to severe weather warnings.
The game was paused at half-time due to heavy rain and a threat of thunderstorms in the area, eventually resuming when the weather had improved.
The start of Mexico's last-32 clash against Ecuador at the Azteca Stadium was then delayed by an hour due to thunderstorms.
It was originally stated that the contest would be played without any hydration breaks due to the delay, but that turned out not to be the case and they did feature in the game.
So what are FIFA's protocols around inclement weather - and when can games restart?
What happens when there is thunder and lightning?
Although FIFA are the World Cup organisers, the protocols around electrical storms are in fact not set by football's governing body.
The rules around matches being suspended are based upon the recommendations of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
According to NOAA guidelines, matches must be halted and suspended if lightning or electrical discharge is detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium.
In that situation, players and staff will leave the field and go to the changing rooms, while fans are advised to find shelter inside the stadium.
For the game to restart, there must be no further lightning strikes detected within that eight-mile radius of the venue for a full 30 minutes.
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If a lightning strike is detected, the 30-minute countdown resets.
Once that 30-minute countdown has finished, fans can return to their seats, and players will return to the pitch for a 15-minute warm-up before the game restarts.
On their protocols, FIFA has previously said, per The Athletic: "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.
"A comprehensive, tournament-wide preparedness exercise focusing on severe weather scenarios has further strengthened cross-agency coordination and operational readiness.
"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."
Can games be postponed?
There is no rule which states an end point to the suspension of a match, meaning the delay for lightning storms could go on for hours.
It throws up the possibility of issues around games which are meant to be played simultaneously or in the knockout rounds.
FIFA has said they will judge each delay on a match-by-match basis, but any possible postponement might cause scheduling headaches, particularly in a 48-team tournament.
What did France's players do during lengthy break?
The long delays due to the inclement weather throws up unique challenges for players and coaches about how to spend that time sheltering in the changing room.
During the suspension in Chelsea's game against Benfica last year, both sets of players spent time on exercise bikes or passing balls around the changing room in an attempt to keep warm.
The French players also did some cycling in their delay against Iraq, while manager Didier Deschamps joked that they "played cards" while they waited.
"We had slots that kept being pushed forward again," he told reporters. "I was actually having a good time with my players and having fun.
"It's a question of safety. You cannot fight against the rain and lightning. It doesn't annoy me. These are very special circumstances, and I do hope they don't happen again. It was important to take no risks."
When the second half eventually resumed, there was no hydration break in the second 45 minutes and just two minutes of added time.
Kylian Mbappe - who scored twice - called it a "very long evening."
"We spent a lot of time waiting. It's emotionally and mentally draining, because we had to stay fully focused and engaged in the dressing room," the 27-year-old said.
"Staying in the dressing room for an hour and a half - almost two hours - while maintaining focus is very difficult. It demands a lot. The players made a huge effort, as did the staff."
Are there protocols for extreme heat?
This summer's tournament is being played as temperatures soar in North America.
To help combat those conditions, FIFA has implemented hydration breaks midway through each half in all games to allow players to take on fluids and try to cool down.
Games are also being played outside the hottest times of the day while some stadiums have roofs or air conditioning.
There are currently no guidelines in place for a game to be suspended or postponed if temperatures reach a certain threshold, although Fifpro - the global players’ union - has previously argued that games should be stopped if it rises over 28 degrees.
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Kylian Mbappe of France cools off during a hydration break
Image credit: Getty Images
Before the start of the tournament, an open letter from a group of heat and public health experts called for more heat protection for the hottest games.
"Temperatures are often taken from shaded areas and if players are in direct sun, it can be double figures more than the temperature readings," Robbie Parks, an environmental epidemiologist at Columbia University, said.
"Standing in the sun can be dangerous even at lower temperatures, even above 23C (73F) or 25C (77F) would make me concerned for older adults out there for more than few minutes."
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