Other Games - 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup Edition (+ warm-up matches): Villa-watch

[PaulWinch again]

Yes time to stop. Hope he’s ok.

[PeterWithesShin]

I'd hope that even if he won't retire teams do it for him. He's fortunate to still be here never mind had theses extra playing years.

[Beard82]

Am I right in thinking that the World Cup final is going to have a 30 minute half time?

[Brazilian Villain]

Am I right in thinking that the World Cup final is going to have a 30 minute half time?

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Half-Time Show, curated by Chris Martin, will help pass the time.

[Brazilian Villain]

1-0 to Morocco, they'll be gutted on the streets of Dakar.

[Sexual Ealing]

Am I right in thinking that the World Cup final is going to have a 30 minute half time?

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Half-Time Show, curated by Chris Martin, will help pass the time.

Let's recreate the spirit of rave with The Lighthouse Family.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

The commercial TV companies are going to love the 3 minute rehydration breaks midway through each half. When they see the extra advertising revenue this generates I can see it becoming a regular thing in all live games irrespective of climate. May as well then start changing ends so it becomes a game of four quarters.

[Beard82]

If you need a half time show you shouldn't be watching.

[Hillbilly]

That German kid Lennart Karl who plays on the right wing has pulled out due to injury. Left backs can sleep a bit easier.

[PeterWithesShin]

[PeterWithesShin]

Saudi Arabia's World Cup warm-up game against Puerto Rico in Texas was halted for nearly two hours because of extreme weather.

The match at the Q2 Stadium in Austin was stopped in the 21st minute as thunderstorms and lightning forced players off the pitch, with messages telling fans to seek shelter.

There were a number of lightning strikes before the match eventually resumed, with Saudi Arabia winning 3-0.

The 2026 World Cup, which is being held across Canada, Mexico and the United States, starts on 11 June.

It is taking place at the peak of the thunderstorm season in several host cities, and if a lightning strike is detected within eight miles of a stadium the game will be stopped.

A mandatory 30-minute countdown then begins and, each time there is a lightning strike inside the distance, the countdown clock resets to 30 minutes again.

While the Q2 stadium will not host any matches during the World Cup, two stadiums in Texas will be used during the tournament.

There will be seven matches at the Houston Stadium, while the Dallas Stadium will host nine matches, including England's group game against Croatia, although both venues have retractable roofs which can reduce the impact of the weather.

Last year, the Club World Cup took place in the US and Chelsea's last-16 tie against Benfica in Charlotte lasted for four hours and 39 minutes as it was one of a number of games halted because of seasonal summer thunderstorms.

Heat is also expected to be an issue at the World Cup, with researchers warning temperatures at 14 of the 16 stadiums being used could exceed dangerous levels.

[PeterWithesShin]

'A World Cup for them not us': Fans' anger at US travel bans and visa restrictions

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx212p8r28eo