Thunderstorms threaten England’s World Cup match against Mexico
England’s last-16 match is at risk of delays as Mexico’s Servicio Meteorologico Nacional predicts an 80 per cent likelihood of thunderstorms ahead of tonight’s contest, reports BritPanorama.
The Three Lions are set to take on the co-hosts in Mexico City, with kick-off scheduled for 1am. According to the latest forecast from Mexico’s national weather service, storms are expected to begin around 4pm local time, two hours before the scheduled start. The probability remains high through 5pm, then drops slightly to 60 per cent at the 6pm kick-off.
Disruption appears increasingly likely for the game, with the timing initially being in doubt. FIFA had planned to bring the match forward by six hours in response to the looming storm threat. That decision was swiftly abandoned following fierce criticism from both the Mexican and English camps, meaning the original schedule stands despite adverse weather warnings.
This leaves fans back home facing an already challenging late-night, potentially stretching into the early hours. Mexico experienced similar conditions during their previous round, when their 2-0 victory over Ecuador was pushed back by an hour due to a thunderstorm. The primary concern centres on lightning, with US regulations mandating that play must halt whenever a strike is detected within eight miles of the stadium. Players would be required to leave the pitch while spectators seek cover in the stands for half an hour.
Should another lightning strike occur within the eight-mile radius during this countdown, the clock resets entirely. Only after 30 minutes pass without any incidents can the match resume. FIFA is reportedly bound to follow guidance from local authorities rather than implementing its own weather-related rules, meaning the governing body has limited control over potential delays.
Thomas Tuchel expects an energetic atmosphere at the Azteca Stadium, stating, “It just catches you straight away once you land here and see the excitement and the emotions.” He emphasized the significance of the occasion, noting, “This will be a proper World Cup match. We are in an iconic place, an iconic stadium, and a massive knockout game.” The winner of the contest will face either Brazil or Norway in the quarter-finals.
As the teams prepare to face the elements, the spectre of delayed kick-off looms large, a reminder of how deeply intertwined weather and sport can be, especially in a tournament setting where uncertainty reigns.
