Fans and media inside Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium were instructed to remain in place on Sunday after severe weather prompted stadium officials to issue a shelter-in-place order shortly before the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between Mexico and England.
The precautionary measure was introduced as heavy rain and lightning affected the area in the lead-up to the highly anticipated knockout fixture.
Supporters Told to Stay in Their Seats
Stadium authorities advised everyone already inside the venue to remain in their seats until further notice as adverse weather conditions continued over Mexico City.
Reports indicated persistent rainfall throughout the day, with lightning observed in the skies above the stadium, raising safety concerns ahead of kick-off.
The match was scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. local time on Sunday (1:00 a.m. BST on Monday).
Weather Adds Fresh Uncertainty Before Kick-Off
The severe weather created additional uncertainty just before one of the tournament’s marquee Round of 16 encounters.
At the time of the shelter-in-place announcement, officials had not confirmed whether the weather would affect the scheduled start of the match, with supporters awaiting further updates from tournament organizers.
FIFA Previously Reconsidered Match Schedule
The weather disruption follows earlier scheduling uncertainty surrounding the fixture.
On Friday, FIFA held discussions with the English and Mexican football associations after proposing that the match be brought forward to 12:00 p.m. local time (7:00 p.m. BST on Sunday).
However, the governing body later reversed that proposal, allowing the original kick-off time of 6:00 p.m. local time to remain in place.
The abrupt change left both teams and supporters adjusting to multiple scheduling scenarios before the tournament’s knockout stage.
Further Updates Expected
Tournament officials continue to monitor the weather conditions in Mexico City as preparations for the Round of 16 contest continue.
FIFA and stadium authorities are expected to provide additional information if the severe weather affects the planned start of the match or requires further safety measures for players, officials, and spectators.
