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World Cup in Philly live updates: Storms could interrupt tonight's game; Iraq fans try to Rocky jinx France

Thunderstorms are in the forecast with Philly set to host its third World Cup match, featuring France and Iraq.

A FIFA World Cup logo on the steps of the Rocky statue outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art. France takes on Iraq in Philly Monday night.
A FIFA World Cup logo on the steps of the Rocky statue outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art. France takes on Iraq in Philly Monday night.Read more
Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
What you should know

  1. France will take on Iraq (5 p.m., Fox) in Philadelphia's third 2026 World Cup match.

  2. Thunderstorms could move through the region close to the start of the game. Here's the latest forecast.

  3. Lincoln Financial Field has been renamed "Philadelphia Stadium" for the duration of the World Cup. In addition to five group stage games, the city will host a Round of 16 game on July 4.

  4. Here's what to know if you plan to attend FIFA Fan Fest at Lemon Hill Park in Fairmount — and what you can expect once you arrive.

  5. The United State has already qualified for the next round of the World Cup. Their final group stage game is Thursday against Turkey.

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Thunderstorms in Philly could interrupt tonight's World Cup match

Thunderstorms are expected to make their way through the Philadelphia region later this evening, potentially interrupting tonight’s World Cup match between France and Iraq.

The strongest of the storms are forecast to move in beginning around 4 p.m., bringing with them heavy rain, wind gusts approaching 60 mph, and the potential for an isolated tornado.

“Storms will certainly have lightning with them,” said Zack Cooper, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Mt. Holly station.

'Paris of America' ready to host French fans

Some have called Philadelphia the “Paris of America.” Really.

It might be hard for locals to wrap their heads around the title, but there is some truth to the comparison — mostly due to the cities’ similarities in architecture. With France in town to take on Iraq in the World Cup Monday night, here’s a look at some of Philadelphia’s Parisian connections.

The Benjamin Franklin Parkway is the most glaring example of Philadelphia borrowing from the French. Finished in 1929, the parkway was designed primarily by two Frenchman, architect Paul Philippe Cret and city-planner Jacques Gréber. Their inspiration? Paris’ Champs-Élysées, a similarly grand avenue that stretches throughout the city. The two also both boast similar end points. The Champs-Élysées concludes with the grand Arc de Triomphe while Philadelphians can spot the Philadelphia Museum of Art from the parkway’s start at City Hall.

World Cup teams that have qualified for the next round and been eliminated

Heading into Monday's World Cup matches, three teams have already punched their ticket to the next round of the tournament.

Among them is the United States, which have won two games in the World Cup group stage for the first time since 1930. The U.S. has one more group stage match – against Turkey Thursday night – and will play in the Round of 32 on July 1 in San Francisco Stadium at 8 p.m. Philly time.

Here's a rundown of all the World Cup teams that have qualified for the next round, and those that have already been eliminated from contention:

Four Frenchmen skipped work to go to the World Cup in Philly

Eight years ago, when FIFA announced that the World Cup would be coming to the United States in 2026, a student in France felt a rush of excitement. He and his friends had been watching the international soccer tournament on television since they were kids.

They’d never seen it in person. The last time their native country hosted the competition was in 1998, before all four Frenchmen were born. In the years since, they’d tried to make it to a game, but to no avail.

Russia hosted in 2018, but the four friends were unable to get visas. Qatar hosted in 2022, but this time, they were attending different colleges, which made traveling logistically complicated. So, they looked ahead to 2026 and started saving money.

Iraq fans try to Rocky jinx France

Everything you need to know about the World Cup in Philly

  1. Here's what to know if you plan to attend FIFA Fan Fest at Lemon Hill Park in Fairmount — and what you can expect once you arrive.

  2. There are also plenty of other watch parties around the city — and several bars that will be open until 4 a.m.

  3. In other words, you don't need a ticket to a game to be able to enjoy all the World Cup festivities taking place around the city.

  4. If you have a ticket for tonight's game — or any Philly World Cup games — you're in luck, we have a guide for that as well.

  5. For full breakdowns of each team playing in Philly, its national cuisine (and where to find it in Philly), and so much more, click here to read our full World Cup guide.

» READ MORE: Philly World Cup: Schedule, transportation, storylines, controversies, and everything you need to know

— Matt Mullin

Today's World Cup TV schedule

Here is today's schedule of World Cup games and their Philadelphia start time:

  1. Argentina vs. Austria: 1 p.m., Arlington, Tx. (1 p.m., Fox)

  2. France vs. Iraq: 5 p.m., Philadelphia (5 p.m., Fox)

  3. Norway vs. Senegal: 8 p.m., East Rutherford, N.J. (8 p.m., Fox)

  4. Jordan vs. Algeria: 11 p.m., Santa Clara, Calif. (11 p.m., FS1)

— Rob Tornoe

France vs. Iraq: How to watch and stream

The third of six World Cup matches will take place Monday night in Philadelphia, with France taking on Iraq (5 p.m., Fox) in Group I action.

Here what you need to know to watch or stream the game:

France vs. Iraq

  1. Time: 5 p.m. Philly time

  2. Location: Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field)

  3. TV: Fox (John Strong, Stu Holden, Geoff Shreeves)

  4. Spanish: Telemundo (José Luis López Salido, Jorge Calvo)

  5. Streaming: Tubi, Fox One

— Rob Tornoe

Philadelphia 2026 World Cup schedule

Philadelphia has hosted two World Cup matches so far – Ivory Coast's upset of Ecuador, and Brazil's blowout of Haiti.

Philadelphia Stadium, as it's called during the tournament, will host four more World Cup games, including a Round of 16 matchup on July 4.

Unfortunately, Philly won't host the U.S., which clinched a first-place finish in the group stage. They needed to finish in third place to even have a chance of winding up the the Linc.