Fans attending the World Cup match between Tunisia and the Netherlands in Kansas City were instructed to evacuate their seats and seek shelter on Thursday evening due to a tornado warning.
Heavy storms descended upon the area shortly before the scheduled 6 p.m. local time kickoff, aligning with earlier weather predictions of isolated tornadoes in Kansas City. The severe weather brought damaging winds, hail, and downpours.
Officials at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, commonly referred to as Kansas City Stadium, issued guidance urging attendees to move indoors to concourses and other covered areas. Videos circulating showed heavy rain impacting the stadium after fans had relocated.
This marks the second World Cup game affected by weather during the tournament. France's group stage match against Iraq in Philadelphia experienced a delay of over two hours due to storms and heavy rain.
Earlier in the tournament, intense heat was a significant concern, leading FIFA to implement hydration breaks at the midpoint of each half. AccuWeather meteorologists are closely monitoring a "Heat Dome" pattern expected to affect the central and eastern United States, potentially bringing mid-90s temperatures to cities including Kansas City during the knockout rounds. The tournament's knockout stage is scheduled to begin Sunday, with games also slated for New York/New Jersey and Boston.