England's World Cup last-16 match against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium faces a delayed kick-off after severe thunderstorms hit Mexico City. The venue's electrical storm safety protocol was triggered, barring access to the pitch and preventing fans from entering the ground.
Officials are monitoring the weather closely, with a decision on a potential delay expected 30 minutes before the scheduled start. If conditions remain hazardous, the match will be postponed by 30 minutes initially, with further delays possible until it is safe to play.
BBC meteorologist Tomasz Schafernaker reported that thunderstorms and shower clouds have been developing around Mexico City, with downpours affecting parts of the city. He noted that any storms are likely to linger for hours, making the situation a close call.
This 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 due to storms. Earlier in the week, proposals to move the match to midday to avoid severe weather were rejected by FIFA after objections from the FA and Mexican Football Federation.
