World Cup Lightning Concerns Mount After 4-Hour 38-Minute Club World Cup Match Shocks Soccer World
Unprecedented Game Duration Raises Alarms With the 2026 North American World Cup just over a year away, weather has emerged as the tournament's biggest variable. The ongoing Club World Cup has repeatedly experienced game interruptions due to lightning and extreme heat, raising serious concerns about next year's flagship tournament. The Chelsea vs. Benfica Round of 16 match, which lasted an unprecedented 4 hours and 38 minutes, has sent shockwaves through the soccer community. The Chelsea-Benfica clash created an extraordinary record in soccer history. With Chelsea leading 1-0 through Reece James' free kick in the 41st minute of the second half, the referee suspended play due to lightning forecasts. The game remained halted for approximately two hours before resuming, eventually requiring extra time and creating a total duration of 4 hours and 38 minutes. During the suspension, lightning strikes were captured live on broadcast television, while ...