Mexico v England: World Cup 2026 last 16 tie hit by thunderstorm in buildup – live

⚽️ Kick-off time: 6pm local/8pm EDT/1am BST/10am AEST
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Jarell Quansah is expected to start for England at right-back after recovering from a twisted ankle. Djed Spence has a sore calf and is not ready to start, but should be in the squad. Reece James has missed the last two games with a hamstring issue.

Right-back is the big problem position for Thomas Tuchel although he has issues in other areas. Who to play on the wings? None of the wide players have convinced. This time it’s expected to be Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon who get the nod.

Evening/afternoon/morning all. This is it. The biggie for England (so far). And I must I’m afraid greet you with reports of thunderstorms in the Mexico City area. Our man on the spot, David Hytner, files this:

The first incredibly loud claps of thunder were heard here at the Azteca at 240pm local time – so a little over three hours before the scheduled kick-off time of 6pm. And it is now absolutely hosing it down with rain. This was very much forecast; hence, the farcical too and froing on Friday afternoon about bringing forward the kick-off by six hours, which ultimately proved impossible. Journalists and photographers have just been told to stay indoors at the stadium media centre. Maybe it is good that the storm has started slightly earlier than advertised giving it more time to clear before 6pm. Then again, I really do not know whether this is true!

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