World Cup
France 1-0 Iraq resumes at 2026 World Cup after lightning delay
France’s 2026 FIFA World Cup second-round match against Iraq resumed after a two-hour suspension at halftime due to a lightning storm over the stadium in Philadelphia, United States.
The game had been stopped at the interval with France leading 1-0, a scoreline secured by Kylian Mbappé’s goal before the break. The suspension followed federal law in the United States requiring outdoor sports events to halt play during lightning.
The restart timing depended on the “last lightning strike” recorded, with the suspension renewed for 30-minute intervals until conditions were deemed safe. The match is part of the group stage in Group I at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
With the score unchanged, France now sits atop Group I on six points, while Iraq remains without a point and faces early elimination from the tournament.