The 2026 World Cup rule that could leave fans waiting hours for a result | OneFootball

The World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico begins this week

The FIFA World Cup 2026 begins this week, and football supporters across the globe are certainly embracing that fact, at least when it comes to the potential action on the pitch.

Indeed, it will be the first World Cup tournament that involves 48 countries, and all matches will be vastly spread out across the host nations of the United States, Canada and Mexico.

It is the latter of said trio who get the summer showpiece event off and running against South Africa in Mexico City in a contest which gets underway at 8PM UK time on Thursday, June 11th.

Naturally, supporters across the UK would have a strong interest in the opening match of the tournament, but it is a chance for Raul Jimenez to remain in the headlines less than 48 hours after his return to newly-relegated Championship side, Wolverhampton Wanderers, was confirmed.

However, there are plenty of other players who will be representing their nations and EFL-based clubs in the tournament, including the South Korean duo of Paik Seung-ho and Bae Jun-ho, who ply their trade for Birmingham City and Stoke City respectively.

There are also players who feature in League One and League Two involved, whilst many will be hoping Thomas Tuchel's England side can finally end their 60-year trophy drought after recent heartbreak under former Middlesbrough boss, Sir Gareth Southgate.

However, whilst England's wait for silverware at a major tournament is well-documented, the Three Lions may not be alone in another World Cup-themed wait, which may occur due to a FIFA rule change across the Atlantic Ocean.

FIFA World Cup 2026 matches could prove to be extremely drawn out amid weather forecasts

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Indeed, whilst the weather on UK shores can often lead to postponed or abandoned Premier League, EFL or non-league matches, last year's Club World Cup tournament was, in some ways, a taste of what could come in the World Cup due to intense weather conditions.

As was seen in the Championship, League One and League Two play-off finals at Wembley Stadium last month, which were won by Hull City, Bolton Wanderers and Notts County, a three-minute hydration break will be imposed in all World Cup games this summer at the midway point of the first and second half.

However, if conditions are to take an even more drastic turn for the worse, through electrical storms, those on the terraces, as well as TV viewers, could face a long wait until the game restarts.

Despite being slammed by previous Leicester City and Chelsea boss, Enzo Maresca, last summer, in-game delays are expected to occur across several matches at the World Cup through the United States' National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration advice.

If a lightning strike is detected within eight miles of any stadium, the game must at least be stopped for a 30-minute period, whilst players and management staff return to the dressing room, and supporters are advised to take shelter.

If another strike is detected within the 30-minute countdown, the clock will restart until a half-hour period elapses without further issues.

FIFA could be forced to alter World Cup schedule amid predicted adverse weather

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Naturally, with the increase of countries taking part in this year's World Cup, matches are kicking off at various times, in an array of time zones too.

This includes England's three Group L matches against Croatia, Ghana and Panama, but the schedule could still be impacted by adverse weather across the three nations.

It has been claimed that there is no cut-off point in terms of a wait for players or supporters if the aforementioned clock continues to reset to 30 minutes, which risks letting games eventually finish long into the night.

However, FIFA, on a match-by-match basis, could be forced to abandon the game and replay the remainder of the fixture the following day, weather permitting, which, in turn, impacts other fixtures, including the final group stage games which kick-off simultaneously.

Ultimately, it is a scenario largely unheard of, but one which appears to be somewhat unavoidable, as frustrating as it will be to millions across the world.