The game was scheduled for a 1am BST kick-off time in the UK on Monday morning (6pm local time), though that was thrown into chaos on Friday night after suggestions that it could be moved by FIFA as a result of concerns over more projected thunderstorms and heavy rain set to hit Mexico City.
It looked as if the game was likely to be brought forward by six hours to a much earlier 12pm window, which would have been a far more palatable 7pm start for fans in the UK. However, it later transpired that the match would remain in its original slot, with plenty of anger, confusion and bemusement caused by the uncertainty in both camps and among fans.
FIFA are continuing to closely monitor the weather, after kick-off in Mexico’s 2-0 last-32 win over Ecuador at the same venue on Tuesday was delayed for an hour as the result of thunder and lightning.
Lightning strikes: The scene at the Estadio Azteca as kick-off in Mexico vs Ecuador was delayed by an hour
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England vs Mexico weather forecast
The current weather forecast for Sunday evening in Mexico City is for cloudy conditions and occasional rain through most of the morning and afternoon, with a top temperature of around 25 degrees.
However, thunderstorms and heavy rain amid high humidity are then expected to arrive around two hours before kick-off at 4pm local time, continuing through 5pm until potentially settling down around the time the game starts.
However, more storms are then forecast for approximately 8pm.
If that were to be the case, then it seems likely that England vs Mexico could well be either delayed ahead of kick-off or suspended once it has already got underway.
If that occurs, then players, coaches and officials must all return to their dressing rooms and fans told to evacuate the stands in search of safe shelter.
A 30-minute countdown is then started, during which time the aforementioned area must be completely clear of lightning before the match can proceed or resume.
If more lightning is recorded during that time, then the clock is reset every time until there is a full half-an-hour period without any.
Players will then return for a short warm-up before a resumption time is confirmed.
