England’s Round of 16 clash against Mexico is still set to go ahead at 1am BST on Monday morning in the United Kingdom after a change of mind from FIFA.
The match at the Estadio Azteca was briefly rescheduled for 7pm BST amid concerns there could be thunderstorms during the initial kick-off time, although FIFA have since confirmed no change will be made to the schedule.
We have already witnessed the Group I clash between France and Iraq be put on hold for over two hours due to severe weather warnings, while the Round of 32 meeting between Mexico and Ecuador was postponed by an hour as well after lightning flashed directly above the Estadio Azteca.
Some might scoff at the strictness of these protocols, but considering what reportedly happened during a match between Bena Tshadi and Basanga in October 1998, you can understand why FIFA are so careful.
11 players allegedly died and 30 more were injured as lightning hit pitch during Bena Tshadi vs Basanga
With the scoreline tied at 1-1 during the game, all 11 players on the field for Bena Tshadi were killed after a bolt of lightning hit the pitch.
30 fans were also injured and suffered burns due to the severe weather, with the match immediately suspended – as reported by BBC News at the time.
The incident caused widespread allegations of witchcraft towards Basanga, as none of their players were harmed by the fatal lightning strike.
Witchcraft is a commonly held belief in western and central Africa, as we have already witnessed at this current World Cup when a Ghanaian witch doctor supposedly cast a spell on Harry Kane before England’s 0-0 draw against Ghana in Group L.
The official protocol for severe weather warnings
FIFA do not actually make the call when it comes to dangerous weather.
Suspensions are made based on recommendations from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Their guidelines state that matches must be halted and suspended if lightning or electrical discharge is detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium.
In order for the game to be allowed to restart, there must be no further lightning strikes detected within that eight-mile radius of the venue for a full 30 minutes.
If there is even one lightning strike right towards the end of that 30-minute break, the clock restarts, hence why the aforementioned game between France and Iraq was on hold for over two hours.
Once the 30-minute countdown has ended, fans can return to their seats after taking cover in the concourse, and players will return to the pitch for a 15-minute warm-up before the game restarts after emerging from the dressing rooms.
