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Azteca shelter order
A shelter-in-place order was issued for the Mexico v England World Cup last-16 match at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City because of thunderstorms in the area, with people on the pitch moving into tunnels as stadium screens warned of severe weather.
“mandate the suspension of play if lightning is detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium”
FIFA’s lightning safety rule described by The Independent mandates suspension of play if lightning is detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium, and play can only resume after a 30-minute clear period without further lightning strikes.
The BBC said the match was set to kick off at 18:00 local time on Sunday (01:00 BST Monday) while the weather situation was monitored, with an update due by 17:10 local time (00:10 BST).
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), but a U-turn resulted in the kick-off time remaining unchanged.
The BBC also reported that play cannot begin until 30 minutes have passed since lightning was last detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium, and that each time a lightning strike occurs inside the distance the countdown clock resets to 30 minutes.
Boos and protocol
ESPN reported that the kick-off of the World Cup 2026 round of 16 match between Mexico and England was delayed to 7 p.m. local time (9 p.m. EDT) after FIFA cited “risk caused by lightning in the vicinity of the stadium.”
ESPN added that the announcement was greeted with loud boos from those fans already inside the stadium, as thunder was heard over the top of the Azteca and lightning flashed with rain and hail.
The Straits Times said FIFA issued a shelter-in-place order before the game due to thunderstorms in the area around the Azteca Stadium, and that people working on the pitch were asked to move into the tunnel.
The Straits Times also reported that displays outside the venue read “Thunderstorm (warning) activated, please take your seats.”
talkSPORT said England could face more chaos in the quarter-finals if thunderstorms hit Miami, noting that if lightning strikes within eight miles of Hard Rock Stadium a shelter in place order would be issued and play would be paused or kick-off delayed.
What happens next
The Independent said FIFA considered bringing the Mexico v England match forward but ultimately maintained the original kickoff time despite concerns and a previous match involving Mexico being delayed due to rain.
“Fifa has no power to make its own rules - it must adhere to the advice of local authorities”
The BBC reported that FIFA has no power to make its own rules and must adhere to the advice of local authorities, adding that in the United States NOAA recommendations are used and that the rules are the same in Mexico.
The BBC also said all players must leave the pitch and fans must seek shelter away from their seats, with a mandatory 30-minute countdown beginning and resetting to 30 minutes each time there is a lightning strike inside the distance.
In England’s build-up, ESPN quoted Thomas Tuchel saying, “The altitude will be, of course, a big disadvantage, because we cannot physically adapt to it in four days,” linking the conditions at the Azteca to the challenge of facing Mexico.
talkSPORT said England’s potential quarter-final against Norway will take place on Saturday, July 11, with kick-off scheduled for 10pm UK time, while warning that thunderstorms around kick-off at 5pm local time could lead to further delays.
