A sudden thunderstorm rolled over Mexico City on the eve of the highly anticipated World Cup encounter between Mexico and England, prompting officials to issue a shelter‑in‑place directive at the iconic Azteca Stadium.
Fans Seek Shelter Amid Rising Rain
Supporters, many of whom had traveled from across the country and abroad, scrambled for cover under the stadium’s awnings and beneath nearby bridges, turning the surrounding avenues into a makeshift refuge as lightning illuminated the sky.
Despite the inclement conditions, FIFA announced that the match would still commence at its originally scheduled hour, rejecting proposals to shift the kickoff to noon local time.
Organizers had weighed the possibility of moving the fixture forward, but concerns over player safety and broadcast logistics led them to maintain the status quo, even as meteorologists warned of worsening weather.
The encounter follows a recent delay of Mexico’s earlier round‑of‑32 match against Ecuador, which was also interrupted by rain, underscoring the vulnerability of outdoor venues to sudden climate shifts.
While the storm added an unexpected backdrop to the tournament, authorities hope the game will proceed without further interruption, allowing the teams to focus on the competition rather than the weather.