The World Cup match between Norway and Senegal proceeded as planned at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, despite heavy rainfall earlier in the day. About 100 miles south in Philadelphia, France’s encounter with Iraq was halted for 2 hours and 10 minutes due to severe weather.
The U.S. National Weather Service issued a flood watch for parts of New York City and New Jersey, including Bergen County where MetLife Stadium is situated. Four hours before the 8 p.m. EDT kickoff, water covered roads leading to the stadium. However, by the time the game started, the rain had stopped.
“Showers and potential thunderstorms with high amounts of moisture are expected to move through the area this afternoon and tonight,” the NWS announced. “These showers will have the potential to produce up to around 2 inches of rainfall per hour. These rates could result in flash flooding primarily in urban and poorly drained areas.”
Weather delays are not specifically covered in World Cup regulations. Despite this, FIFA is prepared to implement contingency plans if necessary due to extreme weather. The organization stated it will coordinate closely with host governments, medical experts, and emergency authorities.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, through a video series during the tournament, advised ticket-holders to start their journey to the stadium four hours in advance.
“Do not underestimate the weather,” Mamdani warned. “Thunderstorms may be severe, and winds could be strong.”
New York City’s Emergency Management issued a travel advisory earlier, recommending extra travel time for safety.
“I urge everyone to plan ahead and allow additional travel time,” Mamdani added. “No destination justifies risking your safety. If conditions worsen, remain indoors until it is safe to travel.”
The open-air MetLife Stadium, seating around 80,000, was built over steel pilings in New Jersey marshlands. Weather disruptions are not uncommon during major tournaments. In the previous year’s Club World Cup in the U.S., weather delayed six of 63 matches, totaling 8 hours and 29 minutes.
The start of England’s friendly against Costa Rica on June 10 in Orlando, Florida, was postponed by an hour because of storms. A friendly between Saudi Arabia and Puerto Rico on June 5 in Austin, Texas, was also delayed due to weather, resuming about 90 minutes later.
According to World Cup rules, if a match is abandoned due to force majeure after it begins, it must resume from the point of interruption with the same score.
“The match shall recommence where it was stopped, such as with a free kick or throw-in,” the rules specify. “If abandoned while the ball is in play, it restarts with a dropped ball from the stopping point.”
FIFA reserves the right to cancel, reschedule, or move matches if necessary due to health, safety, or security issues.