The BBC was forced to make last-minute changes to its live World Cup 2026 coverage after a severe thunderstorm delayed the match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia. Kelly Cates had returned to present the broadcast from the Salford studio alongside Olivier Giroud, Joe Hart, and Gael Clichy, but heavy rain and lightning caused a suspension in the 35th minute.
Match Suspended Due to Severe Weather
Play continued until half-time with France leading 1-0, but spectators were then instructed to seek cover as a severe thunderstorm approached. FIFA announced a 30-minute break, stating: "Due to adverse weather conditions in Philadelphia, including the risk of lightning in the vicinity of the stadium, the FIFA World Cup match between France and Iraq has been suspended." The match did not resume for over an hour, with the second half finally kicking off at 1am.
BBC's Coverage Changes
The BBC had originally scheduled the broadcast to end at 12:30am, but the delay forced them to air a repeat of Ollie Watkins' press conference and a segment from the Scotland camp. Eventually, the football programming was pulled in favor of continuous BBC News coverage. A spokesperson for FIFA added: "The safety and security of all individuals is FIFA's priority. We thank all fans for their understanding and cooperation."
Viewer Reactions
The disruption left many BBC viewers frustrated. One viewer on X (formerly Twitter) complained: "Why f*** are the BBC polluting my living room with Keir Starmer [news], when I'm just trying to enjoy France vs Iraq?! Get this off!!" Another joked: "If this weather suspension goes on any longer the BBC are going to find themselves with no other option but to play footage from the 1936 Berlin Olympics." A third noted: "First weather delay of the 2026 World Cup just hit."
The BBC resumed its coverage at 12:45am with commentators Steve Wilson and Stephen Warnock, rather than the studio panel. France ultimately won the match 3-0. Coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 is available to stream on BBC iPlayer and ITVX.
