Norway-Senegal World Cup Match Starts on Schedule Despite Heavy Rain in New Jersey

The World Cup Group I match between Norway and Senegal kicked off as scheduled at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Monday evening, despite heavy rain that had drenched the area earlier in the day. The stadium, an open-air venue seating about 80,000 spectators, offers no overhead cover for fans, prompting authorities to warn travelers to allow extra time and prioritize safety. The U.S. National Weather Service had issued a flood watch for parts of New York City and New Jersey, including Bergen County, forecasting up to 2 inches (5 centimeters) of rainfall per hour and potential flash flooding in urban and poorly drained areas. Roads leading to the stadium had standing water four hours before the 8 p.m. EDT kickoff, but the rain had subsided by game time, allowing the match to proceed without delay.

In contrast, the France-Iraq match in Philadelphia, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) south, was suspended for 2 hours and 10 minutes due to heavy rain and thunderstorms. That interruption forced spectators to evacuate the stands at halftime, and the game resumed only after conditions improved. FIFA stated it would continue to monitor weather conditions in real time and was prepared to apply contingency protocols—such as match suspensions or relocations—if extreme weather events occur. Under World Cup regulations, if a match is abandoned due to force majeure, it must be resumed later at the exact minute and scoreline at which it was stopped, with play restarting from the position of the ball.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged fans to plan ahead and not underestimate the weather, warning that thunderstorms could become severe and winds strong. The New York City Emergency Management issued a travel advisory earlier Monday, and the city’s emergency management office reminded fans that umbrellas are not allowed inside MetLife Stadium, suggesting ponchos instead. The stadium, which opened in 2010 and is built on steel pilings in the New Jersey marshlands, has no roof, leaving fans exposed to the elements during matches.

Last year’s Club World Cup in the United States saw six of 63 games delayed by weather for a total of 8 hours and 29 minutes. Similarly, pre-tournament friendlies—England vs. Costa Rica in Orlando and Saudi Arabia vs. Puerto Rico in Austin—were also affected by storms. FIFA retains the right to cancel, reschedule, or relocate matches if safety concerns arise, including from severe weather, but no such measures were needed for the Norway-Senegal game, which started on time without disruption.