Thunder, lightning and torrential downpours swept through Mexico City approximately three hours before the scheduled start of the fixture, triggering the venue’s electrical storm safety protocol

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England’s World Cup last-16 showdown against Mexico has been delayed after fierce thunderstorms prompted officials to suspend access to the pitch at the Azteca Stadium just hours ahead of kick-off.

Thunder, lightning and torrential downpours swept through Mexico City approximately three hours before the scheduled start of the fixture, triggering the venue’s electrical storm safety protocol.

Under those regulations, no one is permitted onto the playing surface while the storm persists, with members of the media instructed to remain within the stadium’s media centre until conditions improve.

It has now been confirmed that the kick-off time has been delayed until 2am on Monday, July 6 in the UK.

FIFA said in a statement: “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.”

Some sources indicated before kick-off both the Mexcian and England squads had been “told NOT to travel to the Azteca Stadium right now because of the storm protocols”. Sky News correspondent Rob Dorsett suggested that the move by FIFA “will almost certainly mean a delayed kick off”.

However, that hasn’t dampened the spirits of the Three Lions, who have showed up anyway.

Dorsett later added in his social media commentary of events as they unfolding on the ground in Mexico City: “Just seen more lightning as we entered the Aztec Stadium.”

Those already inside the stadium have described the thunder as deafening, with crashes echoing around the venue. Journalists already seated within the media facilities have been told to remain under cover until the storm passes.

BBC meteorologist Tomasz Schafernaker said: “Thunderstorms and shower clouds have been developing around Mexico City in the last few hours.

“On social media there are reports of downpours affecting parts of the city, however it is difficult to verify if lightning has been occurring close to the football ground itself.

“The showers are likely to continue to grow, threatening disruption.

“All eyes on the horizon and fingers crossed the storms stay well away, but it’s a close call. Any storms are likely to linger for hours.

“The severe weather follows a similar incident during Mexico’s round-of-32 victory over Ecuador at the same stadium, when kick-off was delayed by an hour because of storms.”

Earlier in the week, proposals had been tabled to bring Sunday’s fixture forward to midday local time owing to forecasts warning of severe weather later in the day.

However, both England and Mexico rejected the suggestion.

The Football Association is understood to have pushed back against the proposal due to the disruption it would have created for England fans’ travel arrangements, while the Mexican Football Federation similarly objected to the change.

FIFA ultimately resolved to maintain the original kick-off time, though the recent severe thunderstorms mean the scheduling of the fixture remains subject to the prevailing weather conditions in Mexico City.

The incident happened on around 9.15am on Sunday (July 5) on Benton Road in Longbenton.

The woman, in her 60s, was hit by a grey Renault Clio and taken to hospital with serious injuries. She remains in a critical condition and her next of kin have been informed.

The driver of the Clio involved remained at the scene and is assisting officers with enquiries, Northumbria Police said.

A cordon was put in place around the junction, but the road has since reopened.

Officers investigating the incident have appealed for witnesses to come forward, including those with CCTV or dashcam footage of the incident or the moments leading up to it.

Police were at the scene with a large taped cordon in place (Image: PROVIDED)

Anyone with information or footage is asked to contact Northumbria Police, quoting reference number NP-20260705-0316.

Police were at the scene with a large taped cordon in place (Image: NE TRAFFIC CAMERAS)

A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service said: “We received a call at 9.26am on Sunday 5 July to reports of a road traffic incident on the junction of Benton Road and Goathland Avenue in Newcastle.

“We dispatched an ambulance crew and specialist paramedic to the scene, and requested support from our colleagues at the Great North Air Ambulance Service who attended by air.

“One patient was taken to the RVI by road for further treatment.”

A Great North Air Ambulance Service spokesperson added: “Our critical care team was activated at 9.44am to reports of a road traffic collision in the Benton area of North Tyneside.

“We had two paramedics and a doctor on board our aircraft and they arrived on scene at 10.01am.

“Our team worked alongside the North East Ambulance Service to assess and treat a patient and they were taken to hospital by a road ambulance.”

Motorists have been warned to ‘expect delays’

Emergency services are at the scene of a “serious” collision on a busy road near Cambridgeshire. There has been a collision along the A421 diversion route towards St Neots on Sunday, July 5.

This was reported at around 11.40am this morning. National Highways said Bedfordshire Police are leading at the scene of the crash on Little Barford Road in Bedfordshire.

Motorists travelling on the A421 and A1 have been affected and are warned to “expect delays”. Bedfordshire Police have been approached for comment.

A spokesperson for National Highways said: “Travelling #A421 #A1 #BlackCat today. Please be aware that there has been a serious collision on the diversion route.

“@bedspolice are leading at the scene of the collision on #LittleBarford road. Further updates to follow.”

Lord David Blunkett has warned the police service in England and Wales ‘isn’t good enough’, as the Police Leadership Commission is set to conclude a ‘serious overhaul’ is needed

The police service in England and Wales is “not good enough” and its leadership needs an “ethical reset”, Lord David Blunkett has said.

The former Labour Home Secretary said a major report he co-authored on police leadership, which will be published on Monday, found weaknesses in leadership, morale and culture across the service.

The Police Leadership Commission will conclude that police leadership requires a “fundamental overhaul” as there are “significant causes for concern”.

“At the moment, the service isn’t good enough,” Lord Blunkett told the BBC. “At the moment, the morale and motivation of many of those working in the service needs a reset.”

The report, produced along with the former Conservative policing minister Lord Herbert for the College of Policing, will call for a “root and branch modernisation” of recruitment, development and monitoring within the police service.

In an article for the Mail on Sunday, Lord Blunkett said: “Supported by the Home Office, the independent Police Leadership Commission has concluded we need a root-and-branch overhaul of recruitment, training, appraisal and promotion. And that nowhere do we need more radical change than at the very top.

“It is at the very highest level in policing that we’ve found the most troubling evidence of failure, particularly when it comes to promotions. I don’t use the word ‘nepotism’ lightly because it implies deep seated preferential treatment for those close to the senior officers making the decisions. But I’m afraid it’s true.”

The Commission highlights a lack of leadership support for frontline officers, where almost a third of the service has less than five years’ service. It also criticises a postcode lottery system of promotion, with some officers raising concerns around perceptions of fairness, nepotism, and favouritism around stepping stones such as temporary promotions.

The report noted a “narrow talent pool” at the top of policing, where chief constable roles regularly attract a single suitable candidate.

The review describes a collective failure by both policing and successive governments to invest sufficient time, resources and attention to police leadership development over decades. It demanded central funding to be restored in line with other public services such as the military and NHS.

Among recommendations, the Commission has called for reformed recruitment and nationally accredited training for all new constables and a new senior constable rank to reward and recognise experienced frontline officers who provide leadership and standards. It also wants a National Academy of Police Leadership to provide consistent, high-quality development across forces and support a stronger candidate pipeline.

Lord Herbert said: “If policing is to rebuild public trust, raise standards and meet the challenges of the future, leadership must now become a priority, properly funded, consistently developed and treated as a core operational capability.

“The reforms we set out are intended to support frontline officers and reset police leadership culture towards high performance around what matters most: cutting crime and keeping people safe.”

Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia likened the ruling to “April Fool’s Day” and insisted his federation was “defending football”, while United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino defended the development, which emerged as his side prepared for the Seattle clash, taking place on Monday night local time.

Big screens inside the Azteca alerted people that an electrical storm was approaching and to remain in their seats, though many sought cover from the rain.

Play cannot begin until 30 minutes have passed since lightning was last detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium.

With regards to delays caused by severe weather, Fifa has no power to make its own rules – it must adhere to the advice of local authorities.

In the United States, recommendations of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are used.

The NOAA says if any lightning strike is detected within eight miles of a stadium the game has to be stopped. The rules are the same in Mexico.

When there is an increased risk of lightning strikes, the safety of players and supporters is given paramount importance.

All players must leave the pitch, and fans must seek shelter away from their seats.

A mandatory 30-minute countdown begins. Each time there is a lightning strike inside the distance, the countdown clock resets to 30 minutes.

If a full 30 minutes has elapsed, the supporters can go back to their seats and players will have a short warm-up.

Sources told BBC Sport on Saturday that world governing body Fifa had been set to reschedule the fixture, and confirm in a statement, but news of the proposal angered both English and Mexican officials.

The English Football Association (FA) requested time to review the weather forecast in more detail.

As talks went on, concerns over the impact on player preparation, fan travel and the logistics around moving the staging of such a huge game were discussed.

The proposed change was first reported by local media in Mexico.

Fifa maintained no decision had been made and – after pushback from both associations – it was decided to keep the tie at its original kick-off time.

By KYLIE STEVENS, SENIOR BREAKING NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA

Published: 22:42 BST, 5 July 2026 | Updated: 23:53 BST, 5 July 2026

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has apologised after taking part in a ‘shag, date or marry’ game during a podcast interview. 

Appearing on the Bush Deep podcast with host Nikki Osborne, Albanese was asked to play a game of ‘shag, marry or date’ involving Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman and Rhonda Burchmore, choosing which celebrity he would sleep with, marry or date. 

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Responding to the question, the Prime Minister said: ‘I’ve just got married. I’m only six months in.’

‘But if it goes tits up?’ Osborne hit back.

‘Kylie, clearly,’ he replied. 

‘You’d marry Kylie? And shag her? And date her?’ questioned Osborne.

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‘All of the above,’ replied Albanese. ‘She’s terrific.’

The remarks drew criticism, with some colleagues accusing the Prime Minister of resorting to ‘locker-room antics’.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has apologised after taking part in a ‘shag, date or marry’ game during a podcast interview 

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The Prime Minister declared Kylie Minogue was ‘all of the above’

Albanese, who is currently in Fiji to sign a new treaty with the Pacific nation, apologised on Monday morning in a brief statement.

‘I apologise unequivocally for the comments,’ it read.

Independent Fowler MP Dai Le said Albanese’s remarks were ‘unbecoming of a gentleman’ and suggested he was trying to appeal to a younger generation.

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‘In parliament we’re not supposed to use certain words,’ she said.

‘I will find that very unbecoming of a gentleman, but maybe the prime minister is trying to appeal to another group, a target audience that don’t mind that kind of language being used.’

Community Strong MP Zali Steggall said it was ‘entirely inappropriate’ for the PM to respond to the question. 

‘He needs to learn to push back, lead by example and call it out as sexist,’ Steggall said.

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One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce also weighed in, describing Albanese’s remarks as ‘a bit below him’.

The Prime Minister described Aussie pop star Kylie Minogue as ‘terrific’

Albanese also opened up about his sex life with Jodie Haydon

‘There are lots of people who feel they’ve been in a very unfortunate relationship with the Prime Minister of Australia, and he doesn’t need to play a stupid game,’ Joyce said on Sunrise on Monday.

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When asked what he would have done had he been asked, Joyce replied: ‘Avoided the question, like most people.’

Elsewhere in the podcast interview, Osborne asked if Albanese and his new wife Jodie Haydon were ‘bonking like rabbits’.

‘Well, when we have time,’ he replied.

‘After the footy. It’s always a good aphrodisiac, a Souths win,’ he added, referencing the couple’s beloved NRL team.

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Residents of Guam and surrounding U.S. island territories in the western Pacific were urged to take shelter as Super Typhoon Bavi was expected to make landfall early Monday, threatening an area still recovering from another destructive storm earlier this year.

Bavi, a massive cyclone approaching the Mariana Islands east of the Philippines, was forecast to strike Rota early Monday morning local time, National Weather Service meteorologist Edwin Montvila said.

“They are currently already encountering catastrophic wind,” he said of Rota, a territory of fewer than 2,000 people northeast of Guam, adding that an extreme wind warning was in effect for the island. The cyclone is forecast to be a category five super typhoon with winds that could reach 180 miles (290 kilometers) per hour and gusts of 215 miles (346 kilometers) per hour, Montvila said.

In addition to Rota, typhoon warnings were in effect for Guam, Tinian and Saipan, while tropical storm warnings and watches were in place for other islands in the area.

The storm comes months after Super Typhoon Sinlaku, the strongest tropical cyclone this year, battered islands in the region in April, bringing ferocious winds and relentless rains. A cyclone becomes a super typhoon when it has maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (241 kph) or stronger.

Bavi posed an “imminent danger to life,” Montvila said, with the weather service telling residents across the islands to immediately move to interior rooms where they were sheltering and stay away from windows.