On Monday afternoon, the main topic of discussion among football fans in Philadelphia was not whether Didier Deschamps would rotate a player per line or if Graham Arnold would put his starting goalkeeper on the bench. No, the discussions were mainly about the weather, a legitimate concern given the threat of a charged sky and the local habit of observing sudden changes during storms, which are quite frequent at this time of year on the east coast of the United States.

What happened?

The bad weather first arrived about three hours before the match, catching off guard the thousands of supporters from both camps already on site. Inside the stadium, an explicit message was displayed on the giant screen: « A severe storm is approaching. Please leave the grandstand area and seek shelter inside the stadium by following the instructions of the security personnel. »

Fans had to seek shelter

« We were stuck for over half an hour at gate W, » testified Ali, an Iraqi supporter from Boston. They told us that because of the storm they didn't want anyone inside, it's ridiculous! So, we stayed under the rain instead of going in, we're soaked. » Huge puddles formed in the wide avenues, forcing fans to wade.

The match interruption

The interruption finally lasted two hours, with a few scenes of panic in the corridors. « We're not safe anywhere, » lamented Safa, Dembélé's jersey dripping with water. Next to her, an American took advantage of the chaos to launch the chant of the very popular local NFL franchise, « E.A.G.L.E.S, Eagles ! », well taken up by the crowd.

Fans enjoyed the atmosphere

« It's an exceptional atmosphere, a real experience » said a French supporter. The wind was blowing everywhere, carrying the rain, and only those who had taken refuge in the toilets, crowded like a subway car during rush hour, stayed dry.

What's next for France national football team?

The France national football team will have to adapt to the unpredictable weather conditions in the upcoming matches. With the support of their fans, they will have to overcome the challenges posed by the weather and their opponents to succeed in the FIFA World Cup 2026.