The England game was delayed because of severe weather , specifically heavy rain and lightning around the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Reports said play could not start until lightning had been clear of the area for at least 30 minutes, so kickoff was pushed back by about an hour.

What happened

  • Heavy rain hit Mexico City on match day.
  • Lightning was reported above the stadium.
  • Safety rules required a delay before play could begin.

Match impact

The match between England and Mexico was set to kick off at 02:00 BST after the delay, and the game eventually went ahead once conditions improved.

Why this matters

This kind of delay is standard in football when lightning is nearby because player and spectator safety comes first. FIFA said safety and security were its priority in its statement.

Would you like the exact updated kickoff time in your timezone?