The organizers of the match between France and Iraq in the 2026 World Cup announced the postponement of the opening of the gates of Philadelphia Stadium, in light of warnings of thunderstorms and heavy rain expected, before the start of the expected confrontation, within the second round of the group stage. This precautionary step comes after French media reports indicated that bad weather conditions may affect the course of the match, amid concerns regarding the safety of fans and players in the vicinity of the stadium. According to meteorological forecasts, the city of Philadelphia is expected to witness a wave of heavy rain and thunderstorms extending for several hours, coinciding with the date of the match, which has presented the organizing committee with logistical and security challenges related to managing the event.