Shelter-in-place order amid storm at Azteca before Mexico-England

July 6, 2026 No Comments

Shelter-in-place order amid storm at Azteca before Mexico-EnglandImage source, PA MediaImage caption, Mexico are facing England for a place in the World Cup quarter-finalsByJack SkeltonBBC Sport senior journalistPublished5 July 2026, 22:14 BSTUpdated Just nowA shelter-in-place order has been issued at Azteca Stadium because of severe weather before the World Cup last-16 tie between Mexico and England.The match in Mexico City is set to kick off at 18:00 local time on Sunday (01:00 BST Monday).It is still currently due to start at the scheduled time but the weather situation will be monitored and an news will be provided by 17:10 local time (00:10 BST).There has been heavy rain in the city during the day and reports of lightning above the stadium.Fifa held talks with the English and Mexican football associations on Friday after proposing the match be moved to 19:00 BST on Sunday (12:00 local time) before a U-turn resulted in the kick-off time remaining unchanged.Any lightning strikes in the vicinity of the stadium close to kick-off would mean the start of the match being delayed.The game will be broadcast live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website and app.Five and a half hours that left England’s World Cup tie in chaos

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Big screens inside the Azteca alerted people that an electrical storm was approaching and to remain in their seats, though many sought cover from the rain.

Play cannot begin until 30 minutes have passed since lightning was last detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium.

With regards to delays caused by severe weather, Fifa has no power to make its own rules – it must adhere to the advice of local authorities.

In the United States, recommendations of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are used.

The NOAA says if any lightning strike is detected within eight miles of a stadium the game has to be stopped. The rules are the same in Mexico.

When there is an increased risk of lightning strikes, the safety of players and supporters is given paramount importance.

All players must leave the pitch, and fans must seek shelter away from their seats.

A mandatory 30-minute countdown begins. Each time there is a lightning strike inside the distance, the countdown clock resets to 30 minutes.

If a full 30 minutes has elapsed, the supporters can go back to their seats and players will have a short warm-up.

Sources told BBC Sport on Saturday that world governing body Fifa had been set to reschedule the fixture, and confirm in a statement, but news of the proposal angered both English and Mexican officials.

The English Football Association (FA) requested time to review the weather forecast in more detail.

As talks went on, concerns over the impact on player preparation, fan travel and the logistics around moving the staging of such a huge game were discussed.

The proposed change was first revealed by local media in Mexico.

Fifa maintained no decision had been made and – after pushback from both associations – it was decided to keep the tie at its original kick-off time.

‘Rain is pouring on to the roof’

Sarah Dawkins

BBC Sport senior journalist at Azteca Stadium

We were setting up for a live broadcast outside the stadium among the crowds when the first flash of lightning appeared in the distance.

It seemed quite far away, but within a couple of minutes the cracks of thunder were right overhead. People started to move to find shelter and we made it back to the media centre just as the rain started pouring down and the shelter-in-place warnings flashed up.

The media centre is a huge white tent so we can hear the cracks of thunder outside and rain is pouring down on to the roof. It’s a temporary structure and I’ve felt a couple of raindrops on my head – hoping the roof holds.

Eoin Hempsall

BBC Sport senior journalist at Azteca Stadium

What started with an initial clap of thunder in the distance was soon followed by a series of lightning strikes near to the Azteca. The rain then began, soon turning into a deluge.

With fans of both teams pouring through the gates the stadium was starting to fill up and all fans were soon advised to move inside to the concourse and for the media to return to the main media room.

While there is no news if the match will be delayed, it’s clear the threat of the expected storms arrived early and have caused some initial disruption to the build-up for fans. Many locals do say the storms can pass as quickly as they arrive.

‘Might not be out of the woods yet’

George Goodfellow

BBC Weather

The rain radar seems to be showing the thunderstorms and rain currently affecting Mexico City should ease and move off over the next hour or so.

However, it does look as though further heavy showers are developing nearby and they could move into the vicinity of the stadium, so it’ll be worth keeping an eye on things.

Might not be out of the woods yet.

Related topics

Football
England Men’s Football Team
FIFA World Cup 2026
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