The England football team is about to face Mexico in the World Cup last 16, but the build-up has been overshadowed by a gift scandal and the threat of thunderstorms. The match, which kicks off at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City at 01:00 BST on Monday, is a high-stakes encounter for both sides: Mexico are co-hosts aiming for their first quarter-final since 1986, while England are seeking one of their most impressive wins of the century. Yet the real stories of the week have been a YouTuber's $1m Rolex giveaway and the possibility that storms could delay or even abandon the game.
At its simplest, this is a knockout match between two strong teams. England are managed by Thomas Tuchel and face a noisy home crowd at 2,200 metres above sea level – a height that can affect players' breathing. But the most talked-about incident happened off the pitch. American YouTuber Stephen Deleonardis, who goes by the name Stevewilldoit, met the Mexico squad on Monday and gifted every player and staff member a Rolex watch, spending about $1m (£747,000). The Mexico players accepted the gifts, but soon after, the team announced they had decided "by mutual agreement" to return them. The reason was a FIFA rule: the governing body's Code of Ethics says gifts can only be offered or accepted if they have "symbolic or trivial value". Expensive watches clearly do not qualify.
“Explains the England vs Mexico World Cup clash, including the gift rule controversy and storm risks”
This rule is part of FIFA's wider anti-corruption measures. Article 21 of the Code of Ethics restricts gifts to prevent any appearance of bribery or improper influence. The rule applies to all national teams and officials during FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup. The Mexico team was quick to stress that the YouTuber had acted "on his own initiative" and that they were not at fault, but the watches had to go back.
For UK readers, the immediate concern is the match itself. England fans staying up late will want to know whether storms could disrupt the game. Forecasts show a risk of lightning, thunder and heavy rain in Mexico City during the match. FIFA has a plan in place: if the game is interrupted, officials will follow standard weather protocols – likely a delay and, if conditions do not improve, abandonment. The exact rules for abandonment are not detailed in the sources, but FIFA is prepared. The match is scheduled for Sunday evening local time, which is 01:00 BST on Monday – an already late kick-off that could become even later if storms hit.
The match also carries historical weight. Mexico last reached the quarter-finals when they hosted the World Cup in 1986. England, under Tuchel, have been improving and see this as a chance to conquer the Azteca, a stadium that has been a fortress for Mexico. Head-to-head records from the sources are not given, but the atmosphere will be intense, with increased security noted by Tuchel.
Q: What are FIFA's rules on gifts? FIFA's Code of Ethics, specifically article 21, says that gifts can only be offered or accepted if they have "symbolic or trivial value". Expensive items like luxury watches are banned because they could be seen as improper influence. Teams accepting such gifts must return them.
Q: Who is Stevewilldoit? Stephen Deleonardis, known online as Stevewilldoit, is an American YouTuber and content creator. He spent $1m on Rolex watches for every Mexico player and staff member, giving them to the squad on Monday. The gifts were later returned because they violated FIFA rules.
Q: What happens if the England vs Mexico match is abandoned due to weather? FIFA has a plan in place. The match would first be delayed. If storms persist, the game could be abandoned. The exact rules for rescheduling or result determination are not specified in the sources, but FIFA typically has protocols for such scenarios, including possibly replaying the match the next day.
What happens next is uncertain. The match will go ahead as planned unless weather forces a delay. Meanwhile, the Mexico team will play without the luxury watches, and both sides will focus on a place in the quarter-finals. For England fans, the key is to stay up, keep an eye on the weather, and hope the only drama is on the pitch.