FIFA has confirmed the England vs. Mexico round-of-16 match will proceed as originally scheduled at 18:00 local time on July 5, despite significant weather warnings. Officials had considered moving the match to noon to avoid predicted thunderstorms and flooding in Mexico City.
The governing body weighed the shift just two days before game day. Moving the start time by six hours would have caused major disruptions across international broadcast schedules, ticketing, and team logistics.
Lightning protocols, which mandate a 30-minute suspension after a nearby strike, remain a primary concern for the evening fixture. The match is set for the historic Estadio Azteca, which sits at 2,200 meters altitude and previously hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals.