Overview
- Local forecasts on Thursday predict a line of storms moving into Kansas City from about 14:00 with the heaviest showers after 15:00 and the thunderstorm band likely to overlap the 18:00 kickoff.
- U.S. event rules require play to stop if lightning is detected within 13 kilometres and allow play to resume only after 30 minutes without new strikes, with each new strike restarting that clock.
- The match will be played in an open stadium without a roof, which raises exposure to lightning and rain and makes a delay or temporary evacuation more likely.
- Organizers and local venues are watching the weather because a delay or long postponement would affect stadium fans, overnight TV audiences in Europe and public screenings such as the TT Festival in the Netherlands.
- Tunisia coach Hervé Renard noted an interruption could actually break his team out of a slump, but whether play is stopped will depend on real-time lightning observations at and around kickoff.