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Mother Nature is expected to play a noticeable role in the upcoming tournament.

Among all the off-field storylines likely to shape this World Cup, the weather is set to be a major talking point. Beyond the heat, both rain and lightning are anticipated to have a significant impact on proceedings.

For those who followed last summer’s Club World Cup, this will not come as a surprise. Chelsea’s round-of-16 clash with Benfica had to be paused four minutes before full time and endured a lengthy interruption after lightning was detected nearby, causing the match to conclude four-and-a-half hours after its initial kick-off.

Lightning is once again expected to be a key factor this summer, with several matches likely to experience substantial delays or even postponements.

FIFA does not maintain its own strict severe weather policy; instead, it follows the guidelines and safety procedures established by local authorities.

These local authorities generally adopt a strict stance, particularly when it comes to lightning safety.

Chelsea’s Club World Cup encounter against Benfica, for instance, was held up for several hours due to lightning in the area.

According to standard safety regulations, any game will be immediately suspended if lightning is detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium, prompting a minimum delay of 30 minutes.

During such interruptions, all players are required to leave the pitch, and spectators must vacate the stands for their safety.

Play can only resume once a continuous 30-minute period has passed without any lightning strikes detected within that eight-mile perimeter.

FIFA has not specified any definitive threshold at which a match must be abandoned altogether.

The ultimate decision to officially call off a game will be made based on ensuring the safe return of supporters to their homes.

Should a match be postponed due to weather, it would most likely continue the next day from the exact point where it was halted. For example, if play was stopped after 65 minutes, the teams would resume the following day to complete the remaining 35 minutes.

It remains uncertain how FIFA will handle weather delays in situations where two matches are scheduled to be played simultaneously, such as during the final round of the group stage.