Why was Mexico vs Ecuador delayed? FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match

Mexico’s game against Ecuador has been delayed due to severe weather conditions.

The start of Mexico’s round-of-32 match against Ecuador at the Estadio Azteca was delayed on Tuesday night. It is due to a rainstorm in southern Mexico City.

Three hours before the game, dark clouds blanketed the sky. Two hours before kickoff, the sky opened. A heavy downpour fell, followed by thunder and lightning.

Mexico vs Ecuador game delayed by rain

The rain continued to fall for the following hour. 40 minutes before the match’s planned start time of 9 p.m. ET, FIFA stated why the game was delayed:

“Due to adverse weather conditions in Mexico City, including risk caused by lightning in the vicinity of the stadium, the kick-off of the FIFA World Cup round of 32 match between Mexico and Ecuador has been delayed. FIFA will follow the safety protocols established by the local authorities, and the match will start as soon as it is safe to do so. The safety and security of all individuals is FIFA’s priority. We thank all fans for their understanding and cooperation.”

The match is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. local time (7 p.m. PST / 10 p.m. EST / 3 a.m. BST). According to FIFA’s regulations for severe weather, all play on the pitch should be halted for at least 30 minutes.

Both Javier Aguirre’s and Sebastián Beccacece’s teams were ready to enter the pitch to warm up when it was announced that the game would be postponed.

Mexico hope to advance to the round of 16, bringing it closer to matching their best World Cup achievements. El Tri advanced to the quarterfinals in 1970 and 1986, both times playing at home.

Storms delayed the group game between France and Iraq in Philadelphia on June 22 for almost two hours at halftime.

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