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Why France vs Iraq World Cup game has been suspended as fans urged to ‘seek shelter’

• A World Cup 2026 group-stage match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia was delayed due to lightning, leading to players and fans being moved indoors.
• FIFA is enforcing strict US protocols, which require games to be halted if lightning is detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium.
• These rules initiate a 15-minute countdown that resets with each new strike, followed by a 15-minute warm-up period before play can restart.
• The tournament, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, is occurring during peak storm season in some regions, making further weather disruptions probable.
• Previous Club World Cup matches faced similar significant delays, and potential complications could arise for synchronised final group-stage games.