FIFA faces pressure to delay France vs. Paraguay match kickoff time
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 2, 2026, 9:34 PM
Last updated Jul 2, 2026
FIFA could delay the kickoff of the France vs. Paraguay match in the round of 16, scheduled for Saturday at 5 p.m. ET, due to extreme heat conditions expected in Philadelphia. Temperatures are predicted to approach or exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit, raising concerns for player and fan safety. Delaying the match until later in the evening could mitigate some risks, improving play conditions. Soccer leagues, including MLS, have adjusted match times during heatwaves, suggesting that FIFA should follow suit for the safety of those involved.
- •France will face Paraguay on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET.
- •Temperatures may exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit at kickoff.
- •FIFA's current schedule puts players and officials at risk.
- •Delaying the match could improve conditions for play.
- •MLS has changed match timings to avoid extreme heat.
- 9:34 PMYahoo Sports — Amid Extreme Heat, FIFA Should Delay France Vs. Paraguay Until Evening
"There are no other games scheduled for Saturday night, so the sensible solution would be to delay kickoff by several hours.
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