The kick-off time of England’s last-16 clash with Mexico at the World Cup 2026 could be brought forward by six hours in order to avoid potential storms in Mexico City, although that switch is now in doubt.
Media in Mexico, citing sources with knowledge of the matter, had suggested the game, which is scheduled to kick off at 1am BST on Monday morning (6pm local time on Sunday) will now start at 7pm BST (12pm local) instead.
However, new reports indicate that the anger from the English and Mexican FAs, when they learned of the proposed change without being consulted first, means the move may now not happen.
Fifa is yet to officially confirm or deny that the kick-off time has been changed but sources have confirmed to The Independent that the governing body are in ongoing discussions over moving it to earlier in day on Sunday due to risk of weather disruption including flooding.
There is a significant risk of storms in the area when the match is currently scheduled and Mexico already saw their last-32 match against Ecuador earlier this week delayed due to rain.
Under tournament safety rules, any lightning strikes detected within eight miles of the stadium result in an automatic 30-minute delay to play, something that affected France’s group-stage clash with Iraq.
Meanwhile Fifa regulations for the tournament state it has the right to “cancel, reschedule or relocate” matches “at its sole discretion”.
Mexico boss Javier Aguirre was furious at the proposed change and lashed out at Fifa for their lack of consultation in an interview.
Aguirre spoke to Spanish-Mexican journalist Joaquin Lopez Doriga on Radio Formula, saying: “It’s like a kick in the gut, it changes everything, the plan. It’s not that it’s completely ruined, but almost, because you have to swallow six hours of scheduled training.
“Obviously, we will abide by what Fifa says. I don’t like it at all, nor do my players. Of course, the food, the nap, the sleep, the physiotherapy, everything, everything, it seems trivial, but it isn’t.
“I can understand reasons and arguments but they didn’t consult me and yes, I’m quite angry.
“This is all designed so, since that day in Ecuador we talked, we knew the schedule, we knew the venue, we didn’t know the opponent, that’s true, but in the end, yes, they screw me over a little. We have no choice but to abide by what Fifa says.”
An earlier start would suit fans at home in England, with 7pm being much more palatable than a 1am kick-off.
Outgoing prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has relaxed licensing laws to allow pubs in the UK to stay open until 5am and it is unclear how a change would affect that decision.
There is also an ongoing debate over whether children should be allowed to start school later on Monday morning in order to watch the match.
A 7pm BST start could pose further problems for Fifa however, with the last-16 clash between Brazil and Norway scheduled to start at 9pm BST. If the England match went to extra time, or even if there was a particularly large amount of injury time, then the two games could overlap – something Fifa avoids at World Cups outside of the final round of pool matches.
However, further reports are that Fifa will also move the kick-off of Brazil v Norway back by an hour, to 10pm BST, in order to avoid any potential clash.
When asked about the potential kick-off change during an England training session on Friday, Marcus Rashford described the situation as “not ideal” but was confident that the Three Lions would cope.
“I think for us it’s the same how we prepare for the game,” he said. “It has to be the same. We have to be focused. We have to be ready for anything. I think it’s one of our strengths as a group.
“Everyone, including the players and staff, we are ready for whatever challenges get thrown at us. So obviously it’s not ideal but also it doesn’t really matter.”
And midfielder Morgan Rogers added: “I don’t think it really affects us. I think we’ll be ready regardless of the time and the earlier probably the better, because you want to play it. We’re looking forward to whatever the time is and we’ll be ready.”
