The kick-off time England’s meeting with Mexico in the World Cup round of 16 is in doubt after storm protocols were activated at Estadio Azteca.
The two sides are set to meet at 6pm local time (1am UK time) after FIFA’s proposal to move the game forward to an earlier kick-off were poopooed by both England and Mexico.
But the storms that were forecast to occur in Mexico City on Sunday afternoon have rolled in and would need to clear before the game can get under way.
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Mexico vs England postponement latest
Under FIFA protocol, neither fans nor players will be admitted into the stadium if the lightning has been recorded within eight miles of the ground at the time doors are due to open.
At least 30 minutes will need to pass since the last recorded lightning strike in that perimeter before play can be passed to go ahead – with the same rule applying if another storm breaks out during play.
Journalist Tariq Panja reported on BlueSky just over three hours before kick-off that the protocol had been activated at Estadio Azteca.
That still leaves potential for the storm to pass in time for the game to go ahead as scheduled.
If no, then kick-off would be delayed, as happened with the last game at the same venue as Mexico beat Ecuador in the round of 32.
However, at time of writing, AccuWeather’s forecast for Mexico City is for further thundery conditions sometime between 8pm and 10pm.
That could well affect the game while it’s in process, as occurred with France’s meeting with Iraq in the group stage. Half time ended up lasting for around two hours on that occasion in Philadelphia.
That means England fans waiting up to watch the game live may end up having even more of a late night than they bargained for.
It could also be bad news for pub-going fans back home. Pubs have been given permission to stay open until 5am.
A delayed game could well end up finishing after that.