Jordan became the fourth nation eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after a 2-1 defeat to Algeria, while France's match against Iraq in Philadelphia was suspended for over two hours due to severe weather, forcing fans to evacuate the stadium.
Jordan Out Under New FIFA Head-to-Head Rule
Jordan's defeat in Group J means they cannot progress to the knockout stages despite having one group game remaining. The expanded 48-team tournament allows eight of the 12 third-placed teams to advance, but Jordan joins Turkey, Haiti, and Tunisia as the fourth team eliminated before the final round of fixtures.
Under new FIFA rules, group standings are determined by head-to-head results rather than goal difference. Jordan lost to both Algeria and Austria, who each have three points, making it impossible for Jordan to qualify even if they beat Argentina in their final match.
France vs Iraq Suspended for Two Hours
In Philadelphia, France secured a 3-0 victory over Iraq to advance to the knockout stages, but the match was overshadowed by the tournament's first major weather interruption. Kylian Mbappe scored a first-half goal before heavy rain and thunderstorms swept the city, delaying the second half by two hours and 11 minutes.
Players returned to the pitch in torrential conditions, with Mbappe scoring again and Ousmane Dembele adding a third. France boss Didier Deschamps said, "You can't fight against rain and lightning. We have to adapt. These are very special circumstances and I do hope they will not happen again."
Tournament regulations require matches to be halted if lightning is detected within eight miles of a stadium, with a 30-minute countdown restarting after each additional strike.
Other Matches Affected
The severe weather also threatened Norway's match against Senegal at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where fans were briefly moved from exposed seating before kick-off. The match proceeded as scheduled, with Norway winning 3-2 to join France in qualifying. Argentina strengthened their lead in Group J with a 2-0 win over Austria, while Algeria's victory over Jordan kept their qualification hopes alive.
With soaring temperatures, thunderstorm warnings, and several qualification places already decided, the first expanded World Cup highlights both the opportunities and challenges of FIFA's new format.
