Due to a severe thunderstorm, the opening of Philadelphia Stadium gates has been postponed ahead of the France-Iraq match in the 2026 World Cup.

The opening of the Philadelphia stadium, which is hosting the France-Iraq match in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, has been postponed due to an approaching thunderstorm, according to a source close to FIFA, as reported by AFP.

The source explained that the decision to postpone opening the stadium gates came about three hours before the match was due to start, as part of the precautionary measures taken to ensure the safety of fans and players, noting that the time for opening the gates has not yet been determined, pending developments in the weather conditions.

The organizers, in coordination with local authorities and meteorological agencies, are expected to monitor weather developments over the next few hours before making a final decision regarding fan entry times or any possible changes to the match schedule.

These measures come as the Philadelphia area is experiencing unstable weather conditions, including lightning, thunder and thunderstorms, prompting organizers to take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of attendees.