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Strict FIFA regulations are in place to manage the risks posed by lightning during the World Cup.

England’s upcoming World Cup encounter with Mexico may face a delay due to forecasted storms over Mexico City.

Lightning storms are uncommon in the United Kingdom because the weather is generally cooler, cloudier, and moderated by the surrounding seas, which significantly lower air temperatures. This prevents storm formation as frequently as in larger continental regions. Even when they do occur, British thunderstorms are usually mild.

So if you think, ‘it’s just a storm, what’s the big deal?’ — it’s worth reconsidering. Lightning can be extremely dangerous.

According to FIFA’s official safety protocols, if lightning is detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium at the time gates are scheduled to open, both spectators and players will be prohibited from entering the venue.

If a storm begins after fans have already entered the ground, or while the match is underway, play must be suspended. The game can only resume once there has been a continuous 30-minute period without any lightning strike within eight miles of the stadium. Every additional lightning strike restarts the 30-minute countdown.

Eight miles may seem like a large safety buffer, but lightning has been known to strike over ten miles away from an active storm system.

There are several types of lightning-related risks, including ground currents, where electrical energy spreads through the earth after a strike; contact injuries, caused when someone touches conductive material carrying an electrical charge; and side flashes, where electricity arcs from a struck object to a nearby person.

Although the probability of any one individual being struck by lightning is very low, the risk scales with crowd size. With over 80,000 spectators expected at the Estadio Azteca, the likelihood of someone being struck — either inside the stadium or en route — increases accordingly.

The core of the risk assessment is simple: while the probability of a lightning strike is small, the potential consequences are catastrophic. Lightning can cause fatalities, serious injuries, and widespread panic among the crowd.

Ensuring the match kicks off on time is never worth compromising safety. In fact, similar lightning delay procedures exist across the United States under the guidance of the National Weather Service, reflecting the same cautious approach.

At this World Cup, two matches have already been interrupted due to storms. The second half of France’s group-stage clash with Iraq was postponed for about two hours after lightning was detected near the venue during halftime. Likewise, Mexico’s previous match against Ecuador at the Estadio Azteca saw its kick-off delayed by an hour due to nearby storms.