Fox faced the wrath of World Cup viewers once again on Monday when fans slammed the network for its rain delay coverage.
The network was broadcasting France’s Group I clash against Iraq at the Philadelphia Stadium on Monday evening when the game was rocked by a severe weather delay.
The Group I matchup was suspended for over two hours after thunderstorms rolled in over Philadelphia during the halftime break.
Fox initially headed to its halftime show as scheduled with host Rebecca Lowe leading the panel of France legend Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alexi Lalas.
The halftime analysis rumbled on longer as the delay stretched on as the panel dissected the first half of France’s clash before turning to Lionel Messi’s historic performance for Argentina earlier in the day.
However, around 45 minutes after the delay was announced Fox then opted to show a re-run of the United States’s 2-0 victory over Australia from Friday.
Fox faced the wrath of World Cup viewers for tis coverage during Monday’s weather delay
France’s clash against Iraq was suspended for over two hours due to thunderstorms
The decision to rebroadcast a three-day-old game was met with fury from American viewers, who branded it a ‘joke.’
‘The fact that FOX is showing a rerun of the USA vs. Australia game during this weather delay for France vs. Iraq is a joke,’ one viewer wrote on X. ‘Do Zlatan and Henry not get paid enough to keep doing the Talk Show? Come on FOX, do better…’
‘Totally on brand for #Fox to be showing a 3-day-old soccer match during an interruption of the France/Iraq game with no mention anywhere on screen other than “weather delay” that it’s a repeat,’ another claimed. ‘Ol’ Rupert knows his core audience is very easily fooled, so why be honest? #worldcup.’
A third joked: ‘@FOXSoccer’s panel really go tired of talking and @FOXSports just said “f*** it, put the usa vs aussie game on” while the game is in weather delay…’
‘I don’t understand why FOX doesn’t have a meteorologist available to add insight to weather delays such as the one in Philadelphia right now? Soccer fans deserve better than the useless comments of the analysts and announcers,’ added another.
‘Omg how long do we have to wait for this weather delay?? And of course this watch party is having Fox replay the US/Australia game #France vs #iraq,’ one wrote.
‘FIFA and Fox apparently have no idea how weather works, didn’t have anything prepared to fill a rain delay, and think it’ll take 2 hours?’ questioned another. ‘I have no idea what they are doing.’
It wasn’t the first time that Fox has faced criticism for its coverage during the 2026 World Cup.
A young France fan watches on through the torrential rain at the Philadelphia Stadium
Kylian Mbappe and co are pictured returning to the field to warm up after the delay
The US broadcaster has sparked fury by showing commercials during the mid-half hydration breaks, with commentator Ian Darke introducing them as being ‘powered by Powerade.’
What’s more, after cutting to a number of full-screen ads, in the second half the coverage returned three seconds after play between Mexico and South Africa – the tournament opener – had resumed.
The advertisements have been an unwelcome addition to the 2026 World Cup as viewers have complained about having a three-minute interruption in the middle of each half.
And thanks to those FIFA-mandated three-minute hydration breaks, Fox is on track to pocket an additional $250 million from the extra commercials, Front Office Sports reported before the network moved to a split screen on Friday.
