Paraguay vs France kick-off faces delay due to severe weather
FIFA has warned of a high risk of delays for the World Cup round of 16 match between Paraguay and France in Philadelphia due to extreme heat and storms.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Author: Кирилл Венедиктов
The World Cup round of 16 match between Paraguay and France faces a high risk of disruption as authorities monitor severe weather conditions in Philadelphia. FIFA has issued a warning regarding the potential for kick-off delays caused by a combination of intense heat and incoming storms.
Local forecasts predict temperatures between 36°C and 38°C, with humidity pushing the 'feels like' temperature as high as 41°C. Furthermore, meteorologists expect showers and thunderstorms to coincide with the match's start time.
United States safety protocols mandate that matches must be halted if lightning is detected within 13km of the stadium. In such instances, both teams are required to retreat to the dressing rooms, and play cannot resume until at least 30 minutes have passed since the last lightning strike.
France head coach Didier Deschamps downplayed the impact of the heat during his pre-match press conference.
Heat doesn't affect whether you attack or defend. We knew it was going to be hot. It's a factor, and every team has had to prepare for it.Didier Deschamps
The squad is already familiar with the challenges of weather-related interruptions, having endured a two-hour delay during their group-stage clash with Iraq. France captain Kylian Mbappe previously noted that such long breaks are mentally testing, requiring significant effort from the squad to maintain focus while confined to the locker room.