Saudi Arabia-Uruguay match could be delayed by lightning in Florida
The World Cup match between Saudi Arabia and Uruguay is scheduled to kick off at 1:00 a.m. in Florida, but weather forecasts call for a lightning storm that could delay, suspend, or even postpone the game. If that happens, it would be the first time in this tournament that weather disrupts the schedule.
Similar disruptions occurred at last summer’s Club World Cup, when six matches were delayed or halted. FIFA’s safety protocol is strict: if lightning is detected within about 8 miles, or 13 kilometers, of the stadium, play stops immediately, the players go to the locker rooms, and spectators are sent to sheltered areas.
A 30-minute countdown then begins. If another lightning strike is detected during that window, the clock resets and starts again. The match can resume only after 30 consecutive minutes without lightning in the area.
FIFA does not set a maximum time by which a match must be canceled, so delays can last an hour, two hours, or more. In extreme cases, the game can be moved to another date.
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