World Cup 2026: Risk of storms and heat in Philadelphia for Paraguay-France match

France's national football team may face challenging playing conditions during their World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match against Paraguay in Philadelphia. The city is forecast to experience a risk of thunderstorms and extreme heat.

This potential weather disruption echoes a previous experience for the French team in Philadelphia. Their earlier match against Iraq was significantly delayed for two hours due to thunderstorms, raising concerns about a possible repeat scenario.

According to the National Weather Service, there is a "risk of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m." on Saturday. The match is scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. local time in Pennsylvania. Additionally, sunny and hot weather is predicted, with temperatures expected to peak around 38°C (100°F).

While the probability of precipitation is 30%, heavier rainfall is possible in the event of thunderstorms. The French team will be hoping for clear skies and cooler conditions to ensure a smooth continuation of their World Cup campaign.