Norway’s World Cup match against Senegal took place as planned at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, despite earlier heavy rain. Meanwhile, France’s match against Iraq in Philadelphia faced a 2-hour delay due to severe weather conditions. The U.S. National Weather Service had issued a flood watch for parts of New York City and New Jersey, affecting areas around the stadium. Roads near MetLife Stadium had standing water ahead of the 8 p.m. EDT kickoff, but conditions improved by game time.

The National Weather Service warned of showers and thunderstorms, with potential rainfall of up to 2 inches per hour, risking flash floods in urban areas. World Cup regulations do not specify delays for weather conditions, but FIFA remains vigilant, ready to implement contingency plans if necessary. The organization maintains close cooperation with local authorities and experts.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani advised ticket-holders to travel to the stadium in advance, highlighting the unpredictability of weather conditions, strong winds, and thunderstorms. NYC Emergency Management had also urged travelers to plan ahead to ensure safety during severe weather conditions.

MetLife Stadium, an open-air venue with a seating capacity of 80,000, stands in the New Jersey marshlands. Past events, like last year’s Club World Cup in the U.S., experienced weather delays, totaling over 8 hours across several matches. Previous friendly matches involving England and Saudi Arabia were also postponed or disrupted due to storms.

World Cup rules dictate that should a match be abandoned due to force majeure, it will resume from the minute of interruption with the same score. FIFA holds the authority to adjust schedules or locations if necessary, prioritizing health, safety, and security.

For more details, visit the AP World Cup