The report says rain could increase from 7 a.m. Thursday and continue until the early hours of Friday. Heavy rain, lightning and flood alerts are all part of the forecast.
Outdoor event rules in the United States reportedly require play to stop when lightning is detected within eight miles of a stadium. That leaves the final decision dependent on conditions around the ground, even if the pitch appears playable before kickoff.
For the Netherlands, a long delay would interrupt preparation for a match they are expected to control. A disrupted warm-up and repeated stoppages could reduce the value of sustained possession and make the contest more fragmented.
Tunisia may view that as an opportunity. With no points on the board, the underdogs need a result, and a stop-start game can create the kind of uncertainty that keeps a stronger opponent from settling into its rhythm.
The report also points to a recent France-Iraq fixture that was delayed by two hours because of torrential rain. That precedent does not guarantee the same outcome here, but it shows how quickly conditions can alter the schedule at the venue.
The next key moment will come before the teams leave the dressing rooms. If the lightning risk remains, the Netherlands’ push for first place and Tunisia’s search for their opening points could begin with a wait rather than a whistle.