Matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States could face lengthy delays if severe weather strikes, with FIFA regulations providing no fixed limit on how long games can be postponed before being abandoned.
Under U.S. thunderstorm safety protocols, play must stop immediately if lightning or electrical activity is detected within an eight-mile radius of a stadium. Players are taken off the pitch and moved to dressing rooms, while spectators are directed to designated safe areas inside the venue.
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Once lightning is detected, a 30-minute countdown begins. If no further strikes occur during that period, the match can resume. However, any new lightning strike within the eight-mile zone resets the timer, potentially leading to delays lasting several hours.
While FIFA is required to comply with local safety regulations and cannot override U.S. weather protocols, the governing body has no specific rule outlining the maximum duration a match can be delayed before it is called off. Instead, decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
