Britain's Harriet Dart will hope to make home advantage count against Mexico in February 2021 ©Getty Images

Mexico has lost the right to host its Billie Jean King Cup match against Britain due to delays surrounding the Mexican Tennis Federation’s (FMT) Presidential election and the coronavirus pandemic.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) said the playoff tie would now be staged in Britain on February 5 and 6 in 2021.

It means the British team will be able to choose their preferred surface for the encounter, with the winner gaining a place in the Billie Jean King Cup - formerly known as the Fed Cup - qualifiers in 2022.

The match was initially scheduled to take place from April 17 to 18 along with seven other ties before being postponed following the coronavirus outbreak.

It was then confirmed the meeting between Mexico and Britain would be held in February 2021, with the first edition of the new Billie Jean King Cup due to be held in Budapest in Hungary in April.

The ITF has now announced a change of venue, citing the COVID-19 situation in Mexico as one of the reasons for the decision.

Mexico recently surpassed one million coronavirus cases and is close to reaching 100,000 fatalities - the fourth-highest death toll in the world.

The United Kingdom has the fifth biggest, with more than 50,000 deaths along with 1.34 million cases.

According to a report by Mexican newspaper Milenio, the ITF has also ordered the FMT to hold an assembly this month to end a row over Presidential elections.

In June, Carlos González was named President of the FMT in an election not recognised by an opposition group, led by Mario Chávez.

Britain will now be able to choose their preferred surface for the tie against Mexico ©Getty Images
Britain will now be able to choose their preferred surface for the tie against Mexico ©Getty Images

"The Billie Jean King Cup Committee voted in favour of reversing the choice of ground due to delays to the organisation of the tie resulting from the ongoing Presidential election process within the Mexican Tennis Federation," a statement read.

"With additional operational challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Committee has taken this decision to ensure that the organisers have sufficient time to successfully deliver a safe and secure tie."

The Billie Jean King Cup added that the next meeting between the two nations would be held in Mexicoas a result of this decision.

The ITF and Lawn Tennis Association will make an announcement on Britain’s venue for the tie in due course.

It would seem unlikely that the match will take place in front of spectators if it goes ahead in February.

This year's 12-team Fed Cup Finals had been scheduled to take place in Budapest from April 14 to 19, only to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

France are the current champions.