France vs Iraq Live, FIFA World Cup 2026: Mbappe in focus as Les Bleus eye Round Of 32 entry
Before we get stuck into the football, a quick word on the weather. The real drama is unfolding in Philadelphia, where dark clouds, heavy rain
Before we get stuck into the football, a quick word on the weather. The real drama is unfolding in Philadelphia, where dark clouds, heavy rain and the threat of thunderstorms have been hovering over tonight's France vs Iraq clash.
Earlier in the evening, fans were advised to hold off on travelling to the stadium because of the nasty conditions. Not exactly the pre-match build-up anyone had in mind. The good news? About two-and-a-half hours before kick-off, the showers eased and the gates were finally opened, allowing supporters to stream into the venue.
That doesn't mean we're completely in the clear, though. World Cup rules state that if lightning is detected within eight miles of the stadium, play must be suspended for at least 30 minutes and fans moved to designated safe areas.
So while France and Iraq are busy preparing for a football match, everyone else is keeping one eye on the sky and the other on the radar.
The BriefWire