Lightning stops play: how electrical storms could disrupt the World Cup
Summary
Lightning storms could cause delays or stoppages at World Cup soccer games. If lightning happens within 10 miles of a stadium, games must pause for at least 30 minutes for player safety.Key Facts
- US safety rules require pausing games for 30 minutes if lightning strikes within 10 miles of the stadium.
- Players must leave the field during the lightning delay.
- The 10-mile safety zone is based on research showing lightning can strike far from a storm.
- In 1998, a lightning strike killed an entire soccer team in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- If lightning continues within the 30-minute delay, the clock resets and the pause continues.
- Delays over an hour may lead to game rescheduling.
- Some World Cup games are held in Florida, known as the US lightning capital.
- June and July are peak months for thunderstorms in Florida, increasing the chance of game disruptions.
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