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World Cup sees first weather delay as fans cleared from seats at France-Iraq match in Philadelphia
By Associated Press, COLLIN BINKLEY at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· June 22, 2026
· 1 min read
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Heavy rain and an incoming thunderstorm prompted a delay at halftime of Monday’s World Cup match between France and Iraq and sent thousands of fans seeking shelter.It was the first rain delay of the tournament. There was also heavy rain ahead of Monday night’s scheduled game b...
Key takeaway It was the first rain delay of the tournament.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The weather delay at the France-Iraq World Cup match in Philadelphia serves as a reminder that Middle Tennessee sports venues also have to contend with unpredictable summer storms. Nashville 's own outdoor stadiums and arenas have had to evacuate fans and postpone events due to severe weather, and the FIFA rule about pausing games and evacuating seating areas for 30 minutes if lightning is detected within 8 miles is likely familiar to local event organizers. As Nashville continues to grow as a sports destination, hosting high-profile events like the NFL draft and NCAA tournaments, the city's venues will need to be prepared to handle similar situations, balancing fan safety with the need to keep events on schedule. Local fans who have experienced a sudden summer storm at a Titans or Sounds game can likely sympathize with the soaked spectators in Philadelphia.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Heavy rain and an incoming thunderstorm prompted a delay at halftime of Monday’s World Cup match between France and Iraq and sent thousands of fans seeking shelter.It was the first rain delay of the tournament. There was also heavy rain ahead of Monday night’s scheduled game b...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 22, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Associated Press, COLLIN BINKLEY at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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