FIFA keeps original kickoff time for Mexico vs England World Cup match

FIFA keeps original kickoff time for Mexico vs England World Cup match

The World Cup round-of-16 clash between England and Mexico will proceed at its originally scheduled time on Sunday, July 5, despite a period of instability and reported discussions within FIFA to move the match forward by six hours.

The game at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City is set for 6 p.m. Local time, which corresponds to 8 p.m. ET and 1 a.m. BST on Monday. The decision to maintain the schedule follows reports that FIFA considered a midday kickoff (12 p.m. Local time) due to the risk of "weather disruption," including potential flooding and thunderstorms.

The prospect of a schedule change caused significant friction. According to The Athletic, the English FA only became aware of the potential rescheduling through journalists during a training session, after the story first emerged in the Mexican press on Friday afternoon. This lack of direct communication left both the English and Mexican camps frustrated.

Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre expressed his anger during an interview with Radio Formula, stating that the potential shift was like a kick in the gut and that it would have ruined scheduled training, naps, and physiotherapy. Aguirre noted that his team had been playing well in the evenings and that the proposed midday start was not ideal, particularly for two players dealing with knocks.

England frontman Marcus Rashford maintained a more composed stance, stating:

"I think for us it's the same how we prepare for the game. 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."

Marcus Rashford, England player, via Mirror

Weather concerns were rooted in the typical rainy season of Mexico City. Aaron Mentkowski, a weather expert for The Athletic, reported an 80 percent chance of afternoon showers and thundershowers for Sunday. While 12 p.m. Was expected to be mostly cloudy with a temperature of 73F, the chance of rain increases later in the day, with a 60 percent chance of showers and thundershowers at 6 p.m. And a temperature of 65F.

FIFA's caution follows previous disruptions. Mexico's round-of-32 victory over Ecuador was delayed by one hour due to thunder and lightning. Additionally, a group-stage match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia was delayed by 131 minutes because of adverse weather. Tournament safety rules dictate an automatic 30-minute delay if lightning strikes are detected within eight miles of a stadium.

According to The Athletic, FIFA also considered shifting Brazil's match against Norway on Sunday to avoid scheduling conflicts. That game will now also remain at its original time of 4 p.m. ET. FIFA regulations grant the governing body the "sole discretion" to cancel or reschedule matches for health, safety, or security concerns.

The original late start time has implications beyond the pitch. In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer decided to allow pubs to remain open until 5 a.m. To accommodate the 1 a.m. BST kickoff.

On the field, Mexico enters the match with significant momentum. They went 3-0-0 in the group stage, defeating South Africa, South Korea, and Czechia by a combined 6-0 margin. After a 2-0 win over Ecuador on Tuesday, the team has four wins in four games without conceding a goal, all played on home soil at either Estadio Azteca or Estadio Akron.

England has had a more volatile path. After topping their group with wins over Panama and Croatia and a 0-0 draw with Ghana, they narrowly advanced past DR Congo in the round of 32. That match required a dominant second half from Harry Kane, who scored twice to secure the 2-1 win.

This will be only the second time the two nations have met in a World Cup, following their 1966 group-stage encounter which England won 2-0. To prepare for the match, England's team hotel in Mexico is expected to implement roadblocks to prevent the kind of noise and disruption caused by fans during Ecuador's stay in the capital.