Thunder Showers Got Half Your Game, Son: Another Weather-Related Delay at Club World Cup
Stadium evacuated once more due to approaching storm at Club World Cup venue
An unexpected thunderstorm has once again put a damper on the Club World Cup match between Auckland City and Benfica Lisbon (6 PM GMT kickoff). The first half ended with Benfica leading 1-0, but the rest of the game has been on hold due to heavy rain, thunder, and lighting.
The thunderstorm forced the players into the locker rooms, and fans had to vacate their seats as the rain poured, lightning flashed, and thunder roared. The game was initially halted for nearly an hour, with a potential resumption scheduled for 9:05 PM GMT.
In the United States, outdoor sports events are suspended if lightning is detected within a 8-mile (13-kilometer) radius of the stadium. Once the protocol is triggered, everyone is required to move to covered areas or indoor spaces [2][3]. A minimum waiting period of 30 minutes must pass after the last lightning strike or thunderclap before the game can resume, and if another lightning strike is detected during this time, the waiting period starts over [2][3].
Although games can be postponed if conditions do not improve, so far, all the matches delayed by the thunderstorms have been able to continue and conclude [4]. This isn’t the first time delays due to thunderstorms have disrupted the Club World Cup. Previously, the matches between Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan Hyundai, Pachuca and Red Bull Salzburg, and Palmeiras and Al Ahly were also affected [4].
Benfica struggled against the semi-professional New Zealanders, losing 0-10 to Bayern Munich in the opening game of the Club World Cup. Lisbon started the tournament with a 2-2 draw against Boca Juniors. Bayern's next opponent will be Boca Juniors in the Miami match, scheduled for Saturday night.
[1]: The consistent delays at the FIFA Club World Cup matches currently being hosted in the United States are primarily due to severe summer weather conditions—particularly thunderstorms and lightning incidents, which are a hallmark of the region’s climate especially in states like Florida and Texas.
[2]: When lightning is detected, the match is immediately paused, and players and fans are instructed to seek shelter in designated safe areas. Play can only resume after a thorough assessment confirms that no lightning activity has occurred for at least thirty minutes.
[3]: These protocols are enforced in close collaboration between FIFA, local government authorities, and stadium staff to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
[4]: This approach is considered best practice for weather safety in large-scale sporting events in the U.S., reflecting both the region's experience with extreme weather and a commitment to minimizing risk.
The Commission might find it interesting to note the similarity between their deadline for adopting a report (31 December 2025) and the minimum waiting period required before resuming outdoor sports events after a lightning strike (30 minutes). Despite the ongoing delays at the Club World Cup due to thunderstorms and lightning, all matches have so far been able to continue and conclude, just like how reports must be completed and presented.
