Saudi Arabia's Texas match paused two hours by lightning ahead of 2026 World Cup

Saudi Arabia defeated Puerto Rico 3-0 in a Texas friendly halted for nearly two hours due to lightning.

Match delayed by severe weather The Saudi Arabia versus Puerto Rico warm-up match in Texas was stopped in the 21st minute following thunderstorms and lightning strikes, forcing players off the field while fans were instructed to take cover. The game was paused for nearly two hours before restarting. Saudi Arabia went on to claim a 3-0 victory once play resumed. ## World Cup 2026 weather protocols The 2026 World Cup, scheduled across Canada, Mexico and the United States beginning 11 June, overlaps with peak thunderstorm season in many host cities. Officials implement a strict rule: if lightning occurs within eight miles of a stadium, the match is suspended. A mandatory 30-minute waiting period starts each time lightning is detected within that distance, with the clock resetting fully following each new strike. ## Texas venues for World Cup matches While Q2 Stadium in Austin will not host any games during the World Cup, two Texas arenas will be used. Houston Stadium is set to stage seven fixtures, while Dallas Stadium will welcome nine matches, including England’s group-stage clash with Croatia. The tournament’s timing means organizers must prepare for frequent weather-related delays similar to those seen in recent tournaments. ## Recent weather-affected games During last year’s Club World Cup in the US, Chelsea’s round-of-16 tie against Benfica in Charlotte lasted four hours and 39 minutes due to summer thunderstorms, illustrating the challenges posed by seasonal weather. Heat is another concern, with researchers cautioning that temperatures at 14 of the 16 World Cup stadiums could reach dangerous levels during the event. ## Saudi Arabia’s final warm-up Saudi Arabia will conclude their pre-World Cup schedule with a friendly against Senegal on Wednesday, ahead of their opening group-stage match against Uruguay at Miami Stadium on 15 June. Their Group H campaign continues with fixtures against Spain in Atlanta on 21 June and Cape Verde in Houston on 27 June.