Get ready for an England all-nighter! How FIFA’s weather rules could lead to agonising World Cup wait for fans as forecast reveals storms in Mexico ‘increasingly likely’

The Three Lions will face Mexico and England fans could be prepared to pull an all-nighter after forecasters warned game delays were “increasingly likely” due to adverse weather conditions.

Thunderstorms are expected in Mexico City in the afternoon and early evening, with the last 16 match scheduled to kick off at 18:00 local time (GMT) at the Azteca Stadium.

FIFA rules mandate that a match be postponed if lightning strikes anywhere within a 12-kilometre radius of the stadium. In this case, the game cannot continue unless there is another attack in the area for 30 minutes.

In case of lightning, players will be taken from the field to the locker room and fans will be told to return to the arenas.

The possibility of storms in Mexico City has raised concerns that the knockout match between the home team and Thomas Tuchel’s men could be suspended.

ITV News reported that a forecaster claimed the chance of storms was ‘increasingly increasing’; An Accuweather spokesman said ‘lightning near the stadium before or during a match will once again be a possibility, which could potentially lead to a match being delayed’.

A storm is expected in Mexico City towards the start of the last 16 match

Any delay would impact millions of England fans who will be watching the matches at home or in pubs across the country, as it would push the match further into the early hours of the morning.

Fans are prepared for the match to finish at 4 a.m. if extra time and penalties are called for, but a break due to weather conditions could see the match finish closer to 6 a.m. and possibly later.

England captain Harry Kane said: ‘We know what the World Cup means to everyone and all the fans at home, so to be honest I hope there are a few people who stay up all night, celebrate until the next day and get some sleep afterwards.’

Due to the kick-off time, bars were given special permission by the government to stay open until the early hours; This makes it even more likely that fans will be called in sick on Monday morning; schools are also allowing students to start later.

Such problems could have been resolved if FIFA had stuck to its controversial plan to bring kick-off forward by six hours on a chaotic day on Friday.

There have been talks about postponing the match and Daily Mail Sport understands the decision to start the match at 7pm instead of 1am is “almost done”, according to those with knowledge of the situation.

Sources added that the Mexican government had put serious pressure on FIFA to make changes after three fans died in chaotic scenes following the last 32 victory over Ecuador. Expected adverse weather conditions were another factor in the discussions; Flash floods were also a particular concern.

However, the proposals, which the FA were stunned to learn of through the Mexican media, were met with an angry reaction from both England and Mexico, with the coach publicly criticizing the prospect.

FIFA eventually decided the game could not be moved and confirmation that the time would not be moved to limit a chaotic few hours came as England were in the air from their training base in Kansas City towards Mexico City.

Two World Cup matches in the United States, Canada and Mexico have already faced delays due to storms.

England arrive in Mexico City on Friday ahead of Sunday’s tough match against Mexico

Mexico’s victory over Ecuador in the round of 32 at the Azteca was delayed by an hour, while France’s victory over Iraq in the group stage was delayed by more than two hours.

England arrive in Mexico City on Friday ahead of Sunday’s match and Mexican fans could disrupt the Three Lions’ preparations after the location of their team hotel was leaked.

Their hotel is guarded by 100 riot police and steel barriers blocking access, but they failed to keep the location secret as hundreds of fans turned up to give them a hostile reception.

Before facing Ecuador, Mexican fans used loudspeakers, horns, motorcycles and set off fireworks in the early hours in an attempt to disrupt their opponents’ sleep, prompting a formal complaint from the South Americans.

England remain favorites to progress despite the chaotic build-up and the winner will face either Brazil or Norway in the quarter-finals.

How much will David Beckham earn from World Cup brand deals? Take our quiz in our newsletter HERE.