[Saba Sports News] The World Cup build-up in North America suffered its first weather-related disruption this week, with the pre-tournament friendly between New Zealand and Haiti in Fort Lauderdale, Florida delayed by nearly 40 minutes.
Kickoff at Chase Stadium had originally been scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern Time, yet torrential downpours and lightning prevented players from completing pre-match warm-ups. Match officials ruled the waterlogged pitch unfit for play amid safety risks posed by lightning strikes. The fixture eventually got underway at 8:36 p.m. local time, 36 minutes behind schedule.
Last summer’s Club World Cup hosted across the United States was plagued by repeated weather alerts and fixture hold-ups. In the round of 16 tie between eventual winners Chelsea and Benfica in Charlotte, thunderstorms forced an almost two-hour postponement. Then-Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca blasted the United States as an unsuitable host nation after the game, branding the delays “a joke”. His comments have fuelled widespread concerns that hazardous weather could severely impact this summer’s World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
In my view, extreme weather stands as the biggest operational challenge for the 2026 World Cup. While it will not decide which side lifts the trophy, it can trigger abrupt tactical switches and upset results, alongside testing FIFA’s emergency coordination capabilities. Historical precedents prove only thoroughly prepared sides can effectively mitigate such unpredictable risks.