June 23, 2026

The Panafrican Press

English-language platform committed to rigorous, independent journalism across the African continent.

Storm alert delays France-Iraq world cup match in philadelphia

Storm alert disrupts France-Iraq world cup opener in philadelphia

The much-anticipated showdown between France and Iraq in the World Cup group stage took an unexpected turn as thunderstorms rolled into Philadelphia on Monday evening. Officials announced a potential delay to the much-awaited kickoff as lightning forced stadium evacuation protocols to activate. The match, originally scheduled for 11:00 PM local time, now hangs in the balance while organizers assess the evolving weather conditions.