SportFootballThe weather has been one of the biggest disruptors at this World Cup so far and it appears not to be finished rearing it's head01:41, 01 Jul 2026Updated 01:56, 01 Jul 2026Mexico and Ecuador's World Cup round of 32 match has been delayed as a result of thunderstorms. The two nations were scheduled to get underway at 2am (UK time) but the kick off will be pushed back.‌The pre-match warm-ups were quickly put on hold once the rain started falling. At 1.45am (UK time), 15 minutes before the originally scheduled kick off, neither Mexico nor Ecuador had come out to warm up.‌Lightning was also spotted around the area, which is normally the clearest indicator a match will be kicking off much later than planned. FIFA has very strict protocols in regards to lightning strikes and they are not afraid to enforce them, as was proven when France's 3-0 victory over Iraq was halted for two hours after half time.‌Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now!However, the battle between the Mexicans and the Ecuadorians was the first match in Mexico to be disrupted by the weather during this tournament. When it comes to matches being suspended or delayed, FIFA's decisions will be informed by recommendations from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).‌Their guidelines recommend the halting and delay of matches taking place within an eight-mile radius of a lightning strike. Once this is decided, players have to return to the changing rooms and fans are advised to seek shelter outside of the stadium.A match will only be allowed to restart if there are no more strikes within that radius over the course of 30 minutes - If another one is detected, the 30-minute countdown with reset.On their protocols, FIFA has previously said: "FIFA’s emergency preparedness team meets regularly with national meteorological and emergency management authorities in the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as with partners across all 16 host cities.Article continues below"A comprehensive, tournament-wide preparedness exercise focusing on severe weather scenarios has further strengthened cross-agency coordination and operational readiness. Stadiums are required to maintain robust risk management and evacuation procedures, including lightning and severe weather protocols aligned with local legislation and international best practice."There will be more to follow on this breaking news story and Mirror Sport will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible. Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story. Follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, Twitter, Facebook or visit The Mirror homepage.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌FIFA World Cup