If lightning is detected within eight miles of a stadium, play must stop. The match cannot restart until 30 minutes have passed without lightning inside that radius.
That requirement turns a nearby storm into more than a brief interruption. A single strike can trigger a suspension, while repeated activity may keep teams off the pitch for a prolonged period. Rain and extreme heat remain concerns, but lightning appears the likeliest weather threat to cause major disruption.
The risk was visible during Chelsea’s last-16 meeting with Benfica at the Club World Cup. With only four minutes remaining, lightning forced the match to stop. Play eventually resumed, but the game finished around four and a half hours after kick-off.
That episode exposed the logistical strain involved. Players must remain ready, supporters face an extended wait, and stadium operators have to manage safety procedures while preserving the competition’s sporting integrity.
A full postponement would prioritise getting supporters home safely. The game would most likely resume the following day from the point at which it stopped, rather than restart from zero.
That creates complications for knockout matches, recovery schedules and broadcast planning. The most difficult scenario could arrive during the final round of group fixtures, when games are normally played simultaneously. It remains unclear how organisers would handle one match being delayed while another continues.
The next major storyline will be whether host cities experience sustained storms during the group stage. For the World Cup, the weather forecast may prove as important as the fixture list.