▲ Soccer fans gathered to watch the Mexico vs. Ecuador Round of 32 match amid severe weather
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match between Mexico and Ecuador will kick off one hour later than scheduled due to severe weather.
FIFA announced that the match, originally set to take place at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico, has been postponed to 8:00 PM local time (11:00 AM KST) due to severe weather and the risk of lightning near the stadium.
FIFA added that the safety and security of all participants remain their top priority.
The match was originally scheduled to kick off at 7:00 PM local time (10:00 AM KST).
Earlier in the tournament, the Group I second-round match between France and Iraq, held at the Philadelphia Stadium in Pennsylvania, USA, on June 23, also faced disruptions due to severe weather.
At that time, the match was delayed for 2 hours and 10 minutes, including a 15-minute halftime break, after France finished the first half with a 1-0 lead, before play resumed.
The measure was taken due to heavy rain, thunderstorms, and the detection of lightning risks.
In this tournament, under the so-called 8-mile (12.9 km) lightning rule, play must be suspended for 30 minutes if lightning is detected within an 8-mile radius.
If lightning is detected again during that interval, the 30-minute waiting period must be restarted.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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