Weather has been one of the biggest disruptions to the World Cup so far, and it looks like we’re not done yet.
Match between Mexico and Ecuador was suspended due to bad weather (Image: AFP or licensor)
The World Cup Round of 32 match between Mexico and Ecuador has been postponed due to thunderstorms. The match between the two countries was scheduled to start at 2am (British time), but kick-off was postponed to 3am.
Pregame warm-ups were quickly canceled when it started to rain. By 1.45am (British time), 15 minutes before the originally scheduled kick-off, neither Mexico nor Ecuador had warmed up.
Lightning was also seen in the surrounding area, which is usually the clearest indication that a match will start much later than scheduled. FIFA has very strict rules regarding lightning and they are not afraid to enforce them, as evidenced by France’s 3-0 win against Iraq, which was suspended for two hours after half-time.
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However, the Mexican vs. Ecuadorian match was the first of the tournament to be canceled due to weather in Mexico. If a match is suspended or postponed, FIFA’s decision will be based on recommendations from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Their guidelines recommend canceling and postponing games played within an eight-mile radius of a lightning strike. Once this is decided, players will have to return to their changing rooms and fans will be advised to evacuate outside the stadium.
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The match can only be restarted if there are no further strikes within that radius for 30 minutes. If another strike is detected, the 30-minute countdown is reset.
FIFA previously said of its procedures: “FIFA’s emergency response team meets regularly with the National Weather Service and emergency management authorities of the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as partners in all 16 host cities.
Storm clouds gather over Azteca Stadium (Image: 2026 FIFA)
“Comprehensive tournament-wide preparedness training focused on severe weather scenarios further strengthened interagency coordination and operational readiness.
“Stadiums must maintain robust risk management and evacuation procedures, including lightning and severe weather protocols in line with local legislation and international best practice.”
It was eventually confirmed that the match would kick off at 3am (UK time). Interestingly, as a result of the delay, the controversial hydration break was also scrapped for this match, only to be reinserted just 15 minutes later. In fact, the long delay may have been a relief to Ecuador’s players, who had been feeling sleepy before the match.
On the night of the match, fireworks and firecrackers were set off outside a hotel in Mexico City. Videos were posted on social media of players staring out their windows as they departed in the early hours of the morning, highlighting the fact that they were woken up by noise outside.
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