News Focus
- Saudi Arabia defeated Puerto Rico 3-0 in a friendly match in Austin, Texas
- Officials stopped the game in the 21st minute because of lightning strikes
- The delay lasted almost two hours due to strict safety rules
- The incident highlights weather risks for the 2026 World Cup in North America
- Saudi Arabia will play Uruguay, Spain and Cape Verde in Group H
Referees stopped Saudi Arabia’s World Cup preparation match against Puerto Rico after just 21 minutes. Thunderstorms and lightning forced players to leave the pitch at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.
Fans received instructions to find shelter immediately. The match paused for nearly two hours while officials monitored the dangerous weather conditions. Saudi Arabia eventually won the game 3-0 when play resumed.
The incident raises serious questions about the 2026 World Cup, which starts on 11 June. Canada, Mexico and the United States will host the tournament during the peak thunderstorm season.
Football authorities follow strict safety protocols. If lightning strikes within eight miles of a stadium, officials must stop the match. A 30-minute countdown begins immediately. Each new lightning strike inside this zone resets the clock to 30 minutes again.
Q2 Stadium will not host World Cup matches. However, two other Texas venues will. Houston Stadium will hold seven games, while Dallas Stadium will host nine matches including England versus Croatia. Both stadiums have retractable roofs that protect against bad weather.
This is not the first time extreme weather disrupted football in America. Last year, Chelsea’s Club World Cup match against Benfica in Charlotte lasted four hours and 39 minutes because of summer thunderstorms.
Heat poses another major threat for the 2026 tournament. Researchers warn that temperatures at 14 of the 16 World Cup stadiums could reach dangerous levels.
Saudi Arabia will face Senegal in their final warm-up match on Tuesday. Their World Cup campaign begins against Uruguay in Miami on 15 June. They will then play Spain in Atlanta on 21 June, followed by Cape Verde in Houston on 26 June.