Saudi Arabia’s pre-World Cup friendly against Puerto Rico in Austin, Texas was suspended for nearly two hours due to a severe thunderstorm.
The match at Q2 Stadium was halted in the 21st minute after lightning and thunderstorms forced players from the pitch, with fans directed to seek shelter inside the ground.
Multiple lightning strikes were recorded during the delay before the game eventually resumed, with Saudi Arabia running out 3-0 winners.
The incident raises fresh concerns about weather conditions ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which begins across Canada, Mexico and the United States on 11 June.
The tournament is starting at the peak of thunderstorm season in several host cities, creating a significant logistical challenge for organisers and match officials.
Under World Cup protocols, if a lightning strike is detected within eight miles of a stadium, the game must be immediately stopped.
A mandatory 30-minute countdown then begins, and each time a further lightning strike is detected within that distance, the clock resets back to 30 minutes.
Q2 Stadium will not be used during the World Cup itself, but two other Texas venues will stage a combined 16 matches during the tournament.
The Houston Stadium will host seven matches, while the Dallas Stadium hosts nine, including England’s group game against Croatia, with both venues featuring retractable roofs to help manage adverse weather conditions.
The potential disruption is not unprecedented, as Chelsea’s Club World Cup last-16 tie against Benfica in Charlotte last year lasted four hours and 39 minutes following similar weather-related stoppages.
Heat is also expected to pose a serious threat to players and fans, with researchers warning that temperatures at 14 of the 16 World Cup stadiums could reach dangerous levels during the competition.
Saudi Arabia will play their final warm-up fixture against Senegal on Wednesday before opening their World Cup campaign against Uruguay at the Miami Stadium on 15 June.
They also face Group H matches against Spain in Atlanta on 21 June, and Cape Verde in Houston on 27 June, meaning the weather issue could remain relevant throughout their tournament run.
