The storm clouds are gathering over Mexico City, but England's World Cup campaign will be given a boost by an earlier kick-off time against co-hosts Mexico. The Three Lions' last-16 showdown is set to avoid the torrential downpour that's forecast for Sunday evening with organisers shifting the match from 6pm local time to 12pm instead.
The Estadio Azteca, a venue notorious for its vulnerability to severe weather conditions, will be given some breathing space with the revised kick-off. The stadium's canopy covers only about 80% of seating, leaving fans and players exposed to the elements. And it's not just the threat of thunderstorms that has FIFA officials sweating - temperatures are expected to plummet as the match gets underway.
Current forecasts paint a grim picture for the original kick-off time, with rain odds soaring from 31% at midday to a whopping 72% by 6pm. But an earlier start should see temperatures around 21C and a mere 31% chance of precipitation, according to BBC meteorologists.
Tournament rules dictate that any lightning strike within eight miles of the stadium triggers an automatic 30-minute delay - a rule that's been put to the test already in this tournament. In fact, six matches at last year's FIFA Club World Cup were halted due to electrical storms, and England fans will be hoping their team can avoid a repeat scenario.
FIFA has made it clear they'll stop at nothing to protect player safety and match integrity - and that includes taking the drastic measure of rescheduling games. By moving kick-off time, officials are taking a proactive approach to avoiding potential disruptions and ensuring England's campaign stays on track.