Sprinkler malfunctions at halftime of Iraq-Norway World Cup match at Gillette Stadium

Advertisement

Advertise with us

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — A sprinkler malfunctioned at Gillette Stadium during halftime of the World Cup match between Iraq and Norway on Tuesday.

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — A sprinkler malfunctioned at Gillette Stadium during halftime of the World Cup match between Iraq and Norway on Tuesday.

A large stream of water spurted for several seconds from a sprinkler on the edge of the area in front of the goal in which Erling Haaland scored twice to give Norway a 2-1 halftime lead.

The rest of the sprinklers appeared to work as expected, but all of them had to be turned off to prevent further damage from the malfunctioning one.

A groundskeeper puts his hand in the sprinkler before the start of the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
A groundskeeper puts his hand in the sprinkler before the start of the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)

The grass appeared discolored around the offending sprinkler head as groundskeepers ran out to attend to the problem. Staff sloshed through the area with buckets and tools to disperse the water to other parts of the field.

The affected part of the field appeared to be back to normal by the time the players emerged for the second half.

___

AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

Workers try and remove water dry the pitch after a sprinkler malfunctioned during halftime of the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Workers try and remove water dry the pitch after a sprinkler malfunctioned during halftime of the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Report Error Submit a Tip

Soccer

LOAD SOCCER ARTICLES