The 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match between Mexico and Ecuador in North and Central America will start one hour late due to inclement weather.
FIFA announced that the matchup between Mexico and Ecuador, scheduled to be held at Mexico City Stadium in Mexico, was delayed by a thunderstorm warning, according to information released Monday Korea time.
According to FIFA, lightning struck the stadium starting one hour before kickoff, preventing players from properly warming up.
FIFA ultimately postponed the match, originally scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday, to 11 a.m.
This is the second weather-related delay at this World Cup, following the France-Iraq match on the 23rd of last month. At that time, FIFA delayed play for about two hours after inclement weather during the first half, resuming the second half at 9 a.m.
FIFA regulations require that a match be stopped and the stands cleared if a thunderstorm is detected within 8 miles (about 13 km) of the stadium. Play resumes if there are no issues after a 30-minute count, but otherwise the 30-minute count restarts.
