local
World Cup sees first weather delay, with France-Iraq game in Philadelphia paused for 2 hours
By Associated Press, COLLIN BINKLEY at KGNS — Sitewide
· June 23, 2026
· 3 min read
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Heavy rain and thunderstorms prompted a rare World Cup weather delay on Monday, when the halftime break during a match between France and Iraq lasted 2 hours, 10 minutes.It was the first rain delay of the tournament and the first time in at least several decades that a World C...
Key takeaway France played through the rain and muck to beat Iraq 3-0 behind two goals from Kylian Mbappé.
Why this matters in The Laredo
The weather delay in the France-Iraq World Cup match serves as a reminder that extreme weather can impact major events. For Laredo residents, this incident may evoke memories of similar weather-related delays in local sports games. The city's own experience with sudden thunderstorms and heavy rain may make the situation in Philadelphia more relatable. As the World Cup continues, it will be interesting to see how other host cities handle inclement weather, and whether Laredo's own sports venues have protocols in place to deal with similar situations. The use of rules like FIFA's lightning detection policy may be worth considering for local sports organizations. Additionally, the quick thinking of stadium officials in Philadelphia to direct the crowd to take shelter may be a model for local venues to follow in case of severe weather.
About this story
Original reporting by KGNS — Sitewide . The Laredo 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 KGNS — Sitewide . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KGNS — Sitewide ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Heavy rain and thunderstorms prompted a rare World Cup weather delay on Monday, when the halftime break during a match between France and Iraq lasted 2 hours, 10 minutes.It was the first rain delay of the tournament and the first time in at least several decades that a World C...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by KGNS — Sitewide and curated for The Laredo readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Associated Press, COLLIN BINKLEY at KGNS — Sitewide. To learn more about how The Laredo selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Laredo, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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