Attention: lightning! Real and Salzburg match may be at risk due to thunderstorms

FIFA may once again face challenges staging a match due to a unique aspect of hosting in the United States.

Details: Tomorrow will see the third round of Group H at the Club World Cup, as Real Madrid face Austria's Red Bull Salzburg. The game is set for Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

According to Marca, there is a high probability of thunderstorms in the city during the match, once again casting doubt on the decision to hold major football tournaments in the US.

By US regulations, every sporting event—regardless of its level—must adhere to the "30/30" rule, which has become mandatory due to weather concerns.

The "30/30" rule states that during sporting events, if the interval between thunder or lightning strikes during a storm is less than 30 seconds, all participants and spectators must move to a safe location, and the match must be suspended. The game can only resume if no such activity occurs for 30 minutes after the pause.

Given the forecasted intensity of the storm in Philadelphia tonight, it’s easy to see how the match could end up being declared incomplete under the aforementioned rule.

Nature has already intervened in six matches at this Club World Cup, with games suspended due to hurricanes, thunderstorms, and heavy rain.

Reminder: Back in action: Kylian Mbappé shared a personal photo from Miami.