Weather experts have warned that ‘isolated tornadoes’ in Kansas City could cause havoc around the Tunisia vs Netherlands World Cup game on Thursday night.
The Dutch team take to the field at Arrowhead Stadium looking to cement their place at the summit of Group F against their African opponents who have lost their first two games.
But the weather forecast might overshadow the game, according to experts at AccuWeather.
They warned on Thursday that severe storms are on the way that might cause ‘damaging winds, hail, and downpours and even isolated tornadoes to parts of the plains, including Kansas City.’
The match starts at 6pm local time, which is close to when thunderstorms have been predicted to hit the area.
AccuWeather Meteorologist Adam Douty said: ‘The most significant risk for severe thunderstorms appears to pass just to the south of Kansas City on Thursday afternoon and evening.
Weather experts have claimed tornadoes could form near Kansas City on Thursday
Virgil van Dijk and Holland play Tunisia at Arrowhead Stadium in their final group game
The France vs Iraq game in Philadelphia was delayed for over two hours due to bad weather
‘That being said, it looks like there will at least be areas of rain and thunderstorms moving through Kansas City Thursday evening that can bring impacts to the game. The field can be wet and lightning could lead to delays.
‘Delays could be lengthy as rain and storms could be around the area for several hours.’
Bad weather has caused issues already at the World Cup, with France’s second group game against Iraq in Philadelphia delayed for over two hours due to storms and heavy rain.
Ahead of the tournament, intense heat was the biggest issue and prompted FIFA to introduce their unpopular ‘hydration breaks’ and the midpoint of both halves of football.
And AccuWeather believe that will be more of a factor during the knockout rounds of the tournament, which begin Sunday when Canada plays South Africa in Los Angeles.
They say their meteorologists are ‘closely monitoring a pattern of extreme heat called a “Heat Dome” setting up across the central and eastern United States.’
It could mean that along the east coast and as far as Kansas City, temperatures could rise into the mid-90s for games.
The New York/New Jersey stadium hosts a last-32 game on Tuesday, June 30 and Germany play in Boston on Monday, June 29.
Kansas City hosts a last-32 game on Friday, July 3.
