England are set to face Mexico in the World Cup 2026 round of 16 at the Estadio Azteca tonight, but thunderstorms and heavy rain in Mexico City have raised the possibility of a delayed kick-off or in-game suspension.
Previous Weather Delays at the Tournament
Two matches have already been impacted by storms at this World Cup. France's Group I match against Iraq in Philadelphia was delayed for over two hours at half-time due to storms. Mexico's last-32 win over Ecuador at the Azteca on Tuesday was delayed by an hour before kick-off because of lightning in the capital.
Warm-up friendlies earlier in the tournament were also affected, including England vs Costa Rica in Orlando and Saudi Arabia vs Puerto Rico in Austin. Last summer's Club World Cup in the United States saw several games delayed, such as Chelsea's round-of-16 tie against Benfica, which was paused four minutes from time after lightning was detected in Charlotte, North Carolina, and eventually finished four-and-a-half hours after kick-off.
Weather Protocol for England vs Mexico
FIFA does not have its own severe weather policy but must follow regulations set by local authorities. In North America, authorities enforce strict rules, especially concerning lightning. According to the protocol, any match will be suspended if lightning is detected within eight miles of the stadium. The delay must last at least 30 minutes.
All players, coaches, and officials must leave the pitch, and fans must vacate the stands and seek safe shelter. The game may not resume until 30 minutes have passed with no further lightning detected within the eight-mile radius, with the clock reset each time lightning is spotted.
How Long Can Matches Be Delayed?
FIFA has no fixed cut-off point for postponing a match. Decisions to call off a game are based on player and supporter safety, as well as the condition of the pitch. If a match is postponed due to weather, it would likely resume the following day, picking up from the exact point it was stopped. For example, if a match was stopped after 65 minutes, teams would return to complete the remaining 35 minutes.
