France beats Iraq 3-0 after two-hour storm delay at World Cup 2026

France beat Iraq 3-0 in a World Cup Group I match in Philadelphia on June 22, 2026, after severe thunderstorms and lightning forced play to stop for about two hours at halftime.

Kylian Mbappé scored twice for France, and Ousmane Dembélé added the third after the match resumed. AP reported the halftime break lasted 2 hours and 10 minutes, far longer than the normal 15-minute interval.

Storm delay in Philadelphia

The match at Lincoln Financial Field, which FIFA branded as Philadelphia Stadium for the tournament, was halted because of heavy rain and thunderstorms. AP reported that FIFA’s lightning protocol required a 30-minute pause after lightning was detected within eight miles of the stadium.

The delay made the game the tournament’s first weather-interrupted match. Once conditions were judged safe, play resumed and France finished the job.

France takes control of Group I

The result strengthened France’s position in Group I, where the team is also chasing a favorable path through the rest of the group stage.

Iraq, meanwhile, remains under pressure with its remaining matches still ahead. The game also highlighted how weather protocols can shape operations at a U.S. World Cup venue.