The kick-off time in England’s last-16 clash with Mexico at the World Cup has been delayed by one hour because of thunderstorms in Mexico City.
Supporters already at the stadium have desperately sought shelter, while media members have been told they must not leave the media centre amid the current yellow severe weather warning.
England’s players arrived on schedule, raising hope that it would go ahead as planned at its original time, but that was quickly shelved just under an hour before it was due to kick-off.
Lightning strikes near the Azteca Stadium have pushed back the start time of the knockout tie, which now cannot begin until 2am UK time (7pm local) at the earliest. There were loud boos inside the stadium once the delay was announced.
‘Due to adverse weather conditions in Mexico City, including risk caused by lightning in the vicinity of the stadium, the kick-off of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Mexico and England has been delayed to 19.00 local time (21:00 EDT),’ a FIFA statement read.
‘The safety and security of all individuals is FIFA’s priority. We thank all fans for their understanding and cooperation.’
Further delays will only push kick-off back even further into the night for the millions of England fans watching in pubs and at home.
Supporters had been braced for an all-nighter after forecasters warned on Friday that adverse weather in Mexico City was ‘increasingly likely’.
The tie may now end closer to 4am if it goes to extra time and penalties but suspensions to the match because of weather could see it finish closer to 6am, and possibly beyond.
Pubs have been granted special permission by the government to remain open until the early hours because of the kick-off time – further raising the prospect of fans calling in sick for work on Monday morning – while schools are also allowing students to start later.
The kick-off time in England’s clash with Mexico at the Azteca Stadium has been delayed
Stadium announcements were issued inside the Azteca that thunderstorm protocal was active
Fans were caught in the downpour and then found themselves seeking shelter under cover
England captain Harry Kane said: ‘We know how much the World Cup means to everyone and all the fans at home, so I’m hoping there will be a few all-nighters to be honest, just going all the way through and celebrating until the next day and then catch up on some sleep after that.’
While FIFA don’t have their own set of rules, they follow guidance from local officials and in North America they take a hard-lined stance on inclement weather around sporting events.
Rules dictate a match must be suspended if lightning strikes anywhere within an eight-mile radius of the stadium. The game then cannot resume until there are no further strikes in the area for 30 minutes.
Players will be taken from the field to the dressing room in the event of lightning strikes, while fans will be told to return to the concourses.
Adverse weather was among the reasons FIFA had initially considered moving kick-off forward by six hours in a controversial move before they were forced to U-turn on a dramatic day on Friday.
Talks were held about moving the match and Daily Mail Sport understands that a decision to move the game to start at 7pm – rather than 1am – was ‘all but done’ according to those with knowledge of the situation.
Sources added that significant pressure was placed on FIFA to make the change by the Mexican government following the deaths of three fans amid chaotic scenes after their last-32 victory over Ecuador. The expected adverse weather was another factor in the discussions, with flash flooding a particular concern.
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Rainproof ponchos are all the rage in Mexico City today as fans must wait for kick-off now
England fans who made the trip to Mexico still had a smile on their face amid the time setback
However, the proposals – which the FA was stunned to learn of via Mexican media – were met with an angry response from both England and Mexico, whose coach publicly lambasted the prospect.
FIFA eventually decided that the game could not be moved and, to cap a shambolic few hours, confirmation that the time would not be shifted, after all, came while England were in the air on their way from their training base in Kansas City to Mexico City.
England’s last-16 encounter with Mexico City is the third game at this World Cup to have been suspended because of weather conditions.
Mexico’s victory over Ecuador in the last 32, played at the Azteca, was suspended for an hour, while France’s win against Iraq in the group stage was delayed for more than two hours.
England’s trip to Mexico City thus far has not been without drama, from furious debate over the kick-off time, to concerns over adapting to the altitude, and then disruption from Mexico fans outside the team hotel.
On Saturday night, Mexican fans gathered outside the England team hotel blaring horns, playing loud music and banging drums in an attempt to disturb the players ahead of the big World Cup last-16 match.
Despite a heavy police presence and sporadic rain showers, fans gathered outside the five-star hotel in the south western suburbs of Mexico City at around midnight local (7am Sunday morning BST).
Police were on guard to protect the England team’s hotel from disruption from Mexico fans
Droves of fans loitered around England’s team hotel to try and cause a loud disturbance
Chanting ‘Mexico, Mexico, Mexico’ the supporters numbering around 50 were kept at bay by a heavy police presence which had thrown ring of steel around the complex.
Armed with riot shields and helmets, the security forces easily outnumbered the fans with around 300 officers involved in the operation.
Although noisy, they were kept a good 500 meters back from the hotel making it hard for them to disturb the sleep of England players and they had been given earplugs as well as a precaution.
