The World Cup 2026 Group I clash between France and Iraq has resumed following a weather interruption that lasted approximately two hours and 15 minutes.

The match was halted during half-time, preventing the second half from beginning as scheduled. Originally, the restart was expected around 11:00pm UK time (6:00pm local), but severe thunderstorms in the area led to the suspension of play.

Play resumed at about 1:00am UK time (8:00pm local), with officials confirming that the second-half hydration break would be omitted. This makes France vs Iraq the first fixture of the 2026 World Cup to proceed without a hydration break in either half.

France went into the interval leading 1-0, courtesy of captain Kylian Mbappe’s thunderous left-foot strike. That effort marked Mbappe’s 15th goal in World Cup history, bringing him within three goals of Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who became the tournament’s all-time leading scorer earlier in the day after scoring in his nation’s triumph over Austria.

Barring further disruptions or stoppages, the match is expected to conclude before 2:00am. Mbappe will be keen to add to his tally and edge closer to Messi’s record before the final whistle.

The fixture is being played at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, a venue known for its open design that leaves players and spectators exposed to the elements. Weather-related delays are not uncommon for fans in the United States, as Major League Soccer games are frequently paused due to lightning or heavy storms for safety reasons, and FIFA’s World Cup adheres to the same safety standards.

Under World Cup protocol, if lightning is detected within roughly a 10-mile radius of an uncovered stadium, play must be stopped for a minimum of 30 minutes. The delay is reset if lightning is observed again during that window. Once clear, an additional 15 minutes is required to ensure safe conditions and allow players to warm up again as ground staff clear excess water from the pitch.

Such interruptions can significantly impact the rhythm and intensity of matches. Teams participating in the tournament are aware of these possibilities and have prepared accordingly for potential weather-induced delays.

Before kick-off, organisers had already been monitoring weather threats for France vs Iraq, while similar storm warnings were also in place for Norway’s simultaneous Group I fixture against Senegal, which kicked off at 1:00am UK time.