local
World Cup sees first weather delay, with France-Iraq game in Philadelphia paused for 2 hours
By Collin Binkley, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· June 22, 2026
· 1 min read
Heavy rain and thunderstorms prompted a delay of just over two hours at halftime of Monday’s World Cup match between France and Iraq.It was the first rain delay of the tournament and the first time in at least several decades that a World Cup match was delayed midgame because of inclement weather...
Key takeaway It was the first rain delay of the tournament and the first time in at least several decades that a World Cup match was delayed midgame because of inclement weather...
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio residents watching the World Cup may have taken note of the unusual delay in the France-Iraq game, a rare instance of inclement weather interrupting a match. While the Alamo City's own weather patterns are known for being hot and dry, the surrounding Hill Country can experience severe thunderstorms, making the situation in Philadelphia relatable to local sports fans. The delay also highlights the differences in weather conditions between San Antonio and the northeastern United States, where the World Cup games are being held. As the tournament continues, San Antonio fans will be keeping an eye on how weather conditions affect the games, and perhaps drawing comparisons to the city's own experiences with extreme weather events. The fact that FIFA has a rule in place to pause games due to lightning detections suggests that the organization is taking a more cautious approach to player safety, a development that may be of interest to local sports enthusiasts.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio 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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Heavy rain and thunderstorms prompted a delay of just over two hours at halftime of Monday’s World Cup match between France and Iraq.It was the first rain delay of the tournament and the first time in at least several decades that a World Cup match was delayed midgame because of inclement weather...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 22, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Collin Binkley, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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