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When FIFA awarded the U.S., Canada and Mexico with the 2026 World Cup, the weather conditions were among the biggest issues around the tournament (well, outside of the shameless greed and political landscape). On Monday, we will likely see those weather concerns play out.
Through the first couple weeks of the group stage, FIFA has avoided major disruptions from the weather. While five of the 16 stadiums do have a roof, the other 11 have needed to plan around the potential of severe weather.
And ahead of Monday's game between Norway and Senegal at MetLife Stadium (New York New Jersey Stadium), the forecast wasn't looking favorable. East Rutherford, New Jersey, was under a flood watch for all of Monday evening, and thunderstorms are in the forecast for the 8 p.m. kickoff.
The scene already wasn't looking great outside the stadium hours before kickoff.
Typically, soccer does play through rain. But severe weather, fan/player safety and the field conditions do impact the calculus during the World Cup. The World Cup Final is slated to be held at MetLife Stadium, and players are already taking issue with the degrading playing surface.
FIFA does have a plan in place for extreme weather.
When it comes to lightning, the familiar 8-mile radius rule is in place from other U.S. sports. Via Reuters:
As for potential postponements, FIFA will handle that decision on a game-by-game basis. If the weather doesn't clear or if the field is unplayable, a suspended match could be moved to the following day. That is an outcome that FIFA would like to avoid.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Rain delays or postponements: What is FIFA's plan for extreme weather at the World Cup?
Continue reading...
Through the first couple weeks of the group stage, FIFA has avoided major disruptions from the weather. While five of the 16 stadiums do have a roof, the other 11 have needed to plan around the potential of severe weather.
And ahead of Monday's game between Norway and Senegal at MetLife Stadium (New York New Jersey Stadium), the forecast wasn't looking favorable. East Rutherford, New Jersey, was under a flood watch for all of Monday evening, and thunderstorms are in the forecast for the 8 p.m. kickoff.
The scene already wasn't looking great outside the stadium hours before kickoff.
Typically, soccer does play through rain. But severe weather, fan/player safety and the field conditions do impact the calculus during the World Cup. The World Cup Final is slated to be held at MetLife Stadium, and players are already taking issue with the degrading playing surface.
FIFA's policy for extreme weather at the World Cup
FIFA does have a plan in place for extreme weather.
When it comes to lightning, the familiar 8-mile radius rule is in place from other U.S. sports. Via Reuters:
As for potential postponements, FIFA will handle that decision on a game-by-game basis. If the weather doesn't clear or if the field is unplayable, a suspended match could be moved to the following day. That is an outcome that FIFA would like to avoid.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Rain delays or postponements: What is FIFA's plan for extreme weather at the World Cup?
Continue reading...
