Thunder and lightning near the Azteca Stadium has caused England’s last-16 World Cup knockout clash against Mexico to be delayed
England’s last-16 World Cup clash against Mexico has been delayed an hour due to thunder and lightning near the Azteca Stadium. The match was due to kick off at 1am UK time (6pm local time), but with the threat of lightning in the area, the stadium activated its thunderstorm protocol less than an hour before then, and the game will now commence at 2am UK time (7pm local time).
A statement from FIFA confirmed: “Due to adverse weather conditions in Mexico City, including risk caused by lightning in the vicinity of the stadium, the kick-off of the World Cup 2026 round of 16 match between Mexico and England has been delayed to 19.00 local time (21:00 EDT). The safety and security of all individuals is Fifa’s priority. We thank all fans for their understanding and cooperation.”
The screens inside the Azteca Stadium displayed a message warning supporters about potentially severe weather. FIFA had told both teams to delay their arrivals at the stadium, but both Mexico and England still arrived at 11.30pm UK time.
The delay is another challenge for England to deal with ahead of a crunch match, where they have to battle Mexico’s home advantage and the altitude. But captain Harry Kane revealed the mood in the camp is one of excitement.
“This is as big as it gets, in a World Cup situation, a massive game, against a tough opponent,” he told the BBC.
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“We’re ready. We can’t wait to get out there. It’s been a good [reaction to us], they’re excited for the game, it’s not been hostile at all, a great occasion. They’re excited for it.”
Reacting to the delay, former England full-back Micah Richards said: “It is the nutrition side of things. For me because I was a player who did high intensity runs up and down, I would always make sure that three hours before the game I got exactly what I needed. For an hour delay maybe it won’t impact things too much, but towards the end of the game they might need a top up [of energy].”
Wayne Rooney, meanwhile, believes the adverse weather could be an advantage for England, adding: “It’s just keeping your focus, when you prepare for a game you expect it to be at the time your given, but with the conditions it’s not, so it’s just keeping your focus, not getting too caught up with it, and I think the players are professional enough, they’ve got good people around them, so I don’t think that will affect them that much.
“The one thing for me, where it would affect me is in terms of the food, I used to eat my food three hours before kick-off, so , but they’ll have snacks, they’ll have the stuff there to keep that ticking over.”
“I think the weather conditions will help England, I think in previous games they’ve been too open and they’ve chased a lot, they’ve tried to press high but they’ve not been connected. So, I think with the weather conditions and with the altitude I’d imagine Thomas Tuchel saying we need to be connected as a group, we need not to be chasing all over the place because, Mexico will look to start the game fast. So, I actually think it will work in the other way and be better for England.”
FIFA held discussions to bring the game forward by six hours, but that plan was scrapped following angry responses from both teams. And asked about the complicated build-up, Three Lions boss Tuchel said: “Like so often, it is so much noise. When you are inside of the bubble, it is actually quite calm, quite focused.
“And the bigger the stages, the bigger the noises, the calmer the preparation. I think the players were not even aware of a possible change of kickoffs and just this example shows you to not lose your heads.
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“We cannot influence it. Three-and-a-half hours later, you land in Mexico and the kickoff time stayed the same. It is just not worth losing our heads. Altitude: it is what it is. Home crowd: it is what it is. It is not in our favour.
“We need to overcome obstacles but we have the spirit, we have the commitment, the pure will and the glue between the team to overcome these things. That’s why I am positive. We know what’s coming. The players will feel it, we will all feel it tomorrow when the energy is on. But that’s also the beauty of it. We focus completely on what is possible to be influenced by us.”
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