Potentially decisive World Cup fixtures will not be paused in the event the other final group game is hit by weather delays.
From tonight, the last matches in the group will take place to determine who progresses to the round of 32. Kick-off times are synchronised, in an effort to ensure the integrity of the competition is upheld.
However, matches have already been hit by weather delays thanks to the often-volatile North American summer climate.
And Daily Mail Sport understands that should one of the last round of matches be hit by a suspension, the other clash in the group will not be stopped to ensure fair play.
The situation opens the door for the potential that two teams with significant time to play in a weather-affected game could know exactly what they need to do to qualify because the other match has already concluded.
There are concerns that, as a result, we could see a repeat of the infamous Disgrace of Gijon when, in the 1982 World Cup, West Germany beat Austria 1-0.
On that occasion, the neighbouring countries knew that any result that saw a West German win by fewer than three goals would see both qualify.
On Monday, France’s clash with Iraq became the first game to be affected by weather when thunderstorms struck at half-time
Should one of the last round of matches be hit by a delay, the other clash in the group will not be stopped to ensure fair play
After an early German goal the match descended into farce, with both sides offering little effort to change the scoreline.
Following widespread condemnation, FIFA ruled that neither side had broken any rules. However, it did result in the system being revised so the final two matches would be played simultaneously under a new rule, Article 12.4 of the World Cup Regulations.
Daily Mail Sport has previously reported how FIFA will not be putting time limits on games delayed by weather and will play them to conclusion.
On Monday, France versus Iraq became the first game to be affected by weather when thunderstorms struck with France 1-0 up at half-time.
Eventually there was a two-hour delay before France won 3-0 in a match which started at 5pm local time and ended at 8.47pm.
