Mexico vs. England World Cup Match Delayed by Hour Due to Storms

The highly anticipated World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Mexico and England, scheduled for Sunday, July 5, faced an unexpected delay. Severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and thunderstorms in Mexico City, prompted FIFA officials to postpone the kickoff by one hour, moving it from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

The decision came as both teams and fans were already at the Estadio Azteca. Spectators were advised to seek shelter within the stadium, while players were unable to conduct their usual on-field warm-ups. The adverse weather had been present in the city prior to the match, with rain greeting the teams upon their arrival at the venue.

This is not the first instance of weather disrupting a Mexico match during this tournament. Their Round of 32 game against Ecuador was also delayed by an hour due to an electrical storm at the same stadium. That match, initially set for 8:00 PM, eventually kicked off at 9:00 PM, with Mexico securing a 2-0 victory.

Mexico enters the match undefeated in the tournament, having won all four of their games without conceding a goal. England, considered one of the tournament's strong contenders, faces the challenge of playing at the high altitude of Mexico City. The winner of this clash will advance to the quarterfinals to face Norway, who previously defeated Brazil.