GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Severe weather has thrown a last-minute curveball into Colombia’s preparation plans for its critical second Group K FIFA World Cup matchup against Congo, forcing the South American squad to halt an outdoor training session just minutes after it kicked off on Monday.
The incident unfolded at Guadalajara’s dedicated training facility, where Colombia’s squad had begun going through tactical drills and warm-up routines. Within 30 minutes of starting the session, a sudden rolling storm swept through the region, prompting coaching staff to immediately order players to evacuate the outdoor pitch and move to indoor shelter for safety.
Rather than scrapping the day’s workout entirely, the Colombian Football Federation confirmed that the team adjusted its schedule and completed the remaining portion of the training session inside a nearby gym, allowing players to maintain their fitness routines ahead of the upcoming high-stakes game.
For their part, Congo avoided the Guadalajara storm on the same day: the African side held its full morning training session on U.S. soil before boarding a charter flight to the Mexican host city later on Monday.
This upcoming fixture marks the second group-stage match for both teams, with each entering the game riding different early results from their opening outings. Colombia got its World Cup campaign off to a strong start, securing a solid 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan in its first match. Congo, meanwhile, earned a credible 1-1 draw against a Portugal side led by global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to open its tournament run.
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