Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Mexico are facing England for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals
- Published6 July 2026
England's World Cup last-16 match with Mexico has been delayed by one hour because of severe weather and is set to kick off at 02:00 BST on Monday (Sunday, 19:00 local time).
There has been heavy rain in Mexico City during the day and reports of lightning above the Azteca Stadium, which is staging the match.
Play cannot begin until 30 minutes have passed since lightning was last detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium.
Fifa held talks with the English and Mexican football associations on Friday after proposing the match be moved to 19:00 BST on Sunday (12:00 local time) before a U-turn resulted in the kick-off time remaining unchanged.
The game will be broadcast live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website and app.
A shelter-in-place order has earlier been issued at Azteca Stadium because of adverse weather.
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.
Fifa said in a statement: "The safety and security of all individuals is Fifa's priority."
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