Norway v Senegal at risk of being abandoned just hours before kick-off

 The World Cup group game between Norway and Senegal is at risk of being abandoned just hours before kick-off.

Erling Haaland's Norway are set to take on Senegal in a crucial World Cup Group I match in the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Monday (June 22), with kick-off coming at 8pm local time (1am BST).

However, the match is the latest to be cast into serious doubt due to severe thunderstorm warnings in the area.

The concerns come as the other game in Group I, France vs Iraq, was also put into jeopardy earlier on Monday as the storm hit Philadelphia.

That game is scheduled to kick off 5pm local time (10pm in the UK) and looks set to go ahead after the stadium was finally opened to fans.

The games are in doubt due to the local authority requirements set out by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which state that a game must be paused or delayed if lightning strikes within eight miles of a stadium and can't resume or start until no lightning is detected again for at least 30 minutes.

In such a scenario, fans must be removed from their seats while players must leave the pitch to take shelter.

Official NOAA guidance states that activities must be stopped when "you see lightning", "you hear thunder", or "the skies look threatening".

What happens if World Cup games are postponed?

According to The Sun, the Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, was evacuated more than three hours before France vs Iraq is set to get underway.

An announcement was reportedly made at 1:45pm local time over the PA system which said: “Attention World Cup staff. Due to incoming weather, take cover in the stadium as directed by stadium staff.

Though there were not any fans in the stadium at the time, all staff were forced to vacate the open-air bowl to take cover.

A further message said: “We have active lightning strikes in the area so please leave the pitch area and the seating area and seek shelter in covered areas," while a written message on the giant screens warned a 'severe thunderstorm is approaching.'

Should the game be postponed, the fixture could be rearranged for the following day (June 23) under FIFA protocol.

Speaking to NBC10, Lauren Lambrugo, Chief Operating Officer of Philadelphia Soccer 2026 was asked if the match could be called off and said: “They will make sure that the match is broadcast and played tomorrow.”

Thankfully, rain stopped just before 2:30pm local time and an announcement confirmed fans and staff could return to the stadium bowl. Taking to X, the official Lincoln Financial Field account posted: "Weather Update - Gates are now open."