England vs Mexico at the World Cup 2026 tonight could be delayed by thunderstorms.
The Three Lions face the tournament co-hosts in a high-profile last-16 clash at the Estadio Azteca, with a place in the quarter-finals against either Brazil or Norway in Miami on July 11 on the line.
The game was scheduled for a 1am BST kick-off time in the UK on Monday morning (6pm local time), though that was thrown into chaos on Friday night after suggestions that it could be moved by FIFA as a result of concerns over more projected thunderstorms and heavy rain set to hit Mexico City.
It looked as if the game was likely to be brought forward by six hours to a much earlier 12pm window, which would have been a far more palatable 7pm start for fans in the UK. However, it later transpired that the match would remain in its original slot, with plenty of anger, confusion and bemusement caused by the uncertainty in both camps and among fans.
FIFA are continuing to closely monitor the weather, after kick-off in Mexico’s 2-0 last-32 win over Ecuador at the same venue on Tuesday was delayed for an hour as the result of thunder and lightning.
It was the second game at this World Cup so far to be impacted by the weather, following last weekend’s Group I meeting between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, which was delayed by more than two hours due to storms.
England’s warm-up friendly against Costa Rica in Orlando last month also had a one-hour delay to kick-off as the result of storms and persistent rain.
England vs Mexico weather forecast
The weather forecast for Sunday in Mexico City - which varies depending on which website you check - is generally for bright conditions through the morning with cloud in the early afternoon and a top temperature of around 26 degrees.
Standard Sport reporter Dom Smith reported that torrential rain, with thunder and lightning began just before 3pm local time.
The rainfall looks likely to continue pretty consistently thereafter, and both sets of players were told to hold off travelling to the stadium.
It seems likely that England vs Mexico could well be either delayed ahead of kick-off or suspended once it has already gotten under way.
England fans and media members have already been sharing clips on social media of the torrential rain that has hit Mexico City over the weekend, leading to fears of potential flooding.
24 hours before #ENGMEX biblical rain in Mexico City - forecast more of the same tomorrow around same time 👀💦☔️⚡️Game should be done by breakfast time Monday morning …. pic.twitter.com/8Iv0Rfx2ZD
— Chris Skudder (@chris_skudder) July 4, 2026
Mexico thunder and rain forcast kick off time tmw pic.twitter.com/jKyR4Oigbk
— STAMFORD POMPEY (@stamford_pompey) July 4, 2026
❌ CDMX | A un día del partido #Mexico VS #England, se nos inundó la ciudad del #Ajolotius.
— PERIÓDICO SupreMo 🔴 (@Diario_Supremo) July 5, 2026
Circuito Interior, Viaducto Miguel Alemán y otras vialidades importantes metropolitanas.@ClaraBrugadaM #Morena #4T #Mundial2026 #FIFA pic.twitter.com/Sx1HcrpggT
The policy on extreme weather at this World Cup mirrors that seen at the Club World Cup in the United States last summer, with delays and suspensions caused if lightning is detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium.
If that occurs, then players, coaches and officials must all return to their dressing rooms and fans told to evacuate the stands in search of safe shelter.
A 30-minute countdown is then started, during which time the aforementioned area must be completely clear of lightning before the match can proceed or resume.
If more lightning is recorded during that time, then the clock is reset every time until there is a full half-an-hour period without any.
Players will then return for a short warm-up before a resumption time is confirmed.
