Benfica and Chelsea faced off in the round of 16 at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, battling for a spot in the next stage. But as the match neared its conclusion, play was unexpectedly halted at Bank of America Stadium — leaving fans in Charlotte surprised and confused.
In a heated contest where Chelsea had the upper hand, the Blues broke the deadlock with a stunning free kick from Reece James in the 64th minute. With one foot in the quarterfinals — where Palmeiras await — the match was suddenly interrupted by unforeseen circumstances.
In the 86th minute, the stadium’s public address system announced that FIFA’s lightning protocol had been activated due to severe weather in the area. Supporters from both teams were instructed to seek shelter in the interior concourses of the stadium as thunderstorm activity approached the venue.
Per protocol, play is scheduled to resume 30 minutes after the initial delay announcement. Once that period has passed, officials will assess conditions to determine whether play can resume or if another 30-minute delay will be required — prolonging a match that was just minutes away from its conclusion, plus stoppage time.
A key part of the protocol is that each lightning strike within a 10-mile radius resets the 30-minute clock. Multiple strikes occurred during the delay, repeatedly restarting the clock. With players jumping back to the pitch for warm-ups around 7:35 p.m. ET, the game finally resumed at 7:45 p.m. ET.
Another match delayed due to weather
As is standard in U.S.-based competitions, weather protocols are strictly enforced to ensure player and spectator safety. However, in a global tournament like the FIFA Club World Cup — and with the 2026 FIFA World Cup looming — frequent delays have become a mounting concern for fans and organizers alike.
The Benfica-Chelsea match marks the sixth game delayed due to weather in this tournament. The others include:
- Ulsan vs Mamelodi
- Pachuca vs Salzburg
- Palmeiras vs Al Ahly
- Benfica vs Auckland
- Auckland vs Boca Juniors
