England’s World Cup last-16 tie against Mexico will kick off as scheduled at 01:00 BST on Monday after a Fifa U-turn on a plan to bring the game forward.
Football’s word governing body held talks with the English and Mexican football associations on Friday after proposing the match be moved to 19:00 BST on Sunday (12:00 local time).
Advertisement
Weather forecasts suggest there could be thunderstorms at that time, though Fifa has not provided any explanation for its suggested change.
Sources told BBC Sport that Fifa had been set to reschedule the fixture, and confirm in a statement, but news of the proposal angered both English and Mexican officials.
As a result, the game in Mexico City is now due to be played at its original kick-off time – 18:00 local time on Sunday.
Fifa regulations for World Cup 2026 state it has the right to “cancel, reschedule or relocate” matches “at its sole discretion”.
The proposed change was first reported by local media in Mexico.
Advertisement
Fifa maintained no decision had been made and – after pushback from both associations – it was decided to keep the tie at its original kick-off time.
The match will be broadcast live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website and app.
Reports in Mexico said the BBC was part of lobbying around the kick-off time but a BBC spokesperson said the corporation was “not involved in these discussions”.
What happened – and what did England players say?
BBC Sport first contacted the Football Association at 19:00 BST on Friday following reports the fixture was being rescheduled.
Advertisement
At that point, the FA had not received any information suggesting that was the case.
Preparations for Sunday’s game were continuing as normal, with FA officials involved in planning and security discussions.
However, within half an hour the FA had been informed by Fifa that it was exploring the possibility of rescheduling the fixture.
The reports broke as England’s players were finishing training at their Kansas City base.
With preparations well under way, officials felt it was too late for the fixture to be rescheduled and were angered they were seemingly left in the dark.
While officials were privately incensed, England’s players brushed off any suggestion it would impact the game.
Advertisement
Asked as he was leaving the pitch about the possibility of the game being moved, winger Marcus Rashford said it was “not ideal” but the squad would deal with it.
“I think for us it’s the same how we prepare for the game,” he said. “It has to be the same.”
Forward Morgan Rogers was similarly unfazed, saying: “We’ll be ready regardless of the time. We’re looking forward to it whatever the time is.”
What did Mexico’s manager say?
Before the kick-off time was left as it was, Mexico manager Javier Aguirre appeared to suggest the Mexican FA had been told the game would be brought forward.
Advertisement
Speaking to a local radio station, the 67-year-old described the proposed change as a “kick in the stomach”.
“We have to change everything,” he told radio station Grupo Formula.
“It’s not that [Mexico’s preparation] is completely ruined but almost, because you have to swallow six hours that you had programmed.
“Obviously we will comply with Fifa. I don’t like it at all, and neither do my players.”
Aguirre, who said an earlier kick-off time would not be an advantage to his team, said he had not been consulted over the proposals.
“They didn’t even ask for my opinion,” he said. “Fifa organises, Fifa decides, and I comply.
Advertisement
“We adapt, there are no excuses, and we have to play and win.”
How weather has been a cloud over World Cup
The threat of extreme weather has been a constant throughout the World Cup, which is being co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States.
Fifa introduced mandatory three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half for all World Cup fixtures because of the threat of high temperatures, though they have continued even in more comfortable conditions.
Mexico have already experienced interruptions to their preparations so far this tournament, with their last-32 tie against Ecuador delayed by an hour because of thunder and lightning in Mexico City.
Advertisement
France’s group-stage fixture against Iraq was delayed for over two hours because of safety concerns amid adverse weather conditions in Philadelphia.
Last summer’s Club World Cup, which was also hosted by the United States, had six major weather delays across the 63 matches played.
The build-up to Sunday’s fixture has been dominated by talk about Mexico’s record at the Estadio Azteca and how England’s players will deal with the altitude.
The arena sits 7,220ft (2,240m) above sea level, and Mexico have lost just twice in 89 matches at the iconic stadium.
At that altitude, the Earth’s barometric pressure is lower, making the air thinner and meaning less oxygen is taken into the bloodstream with each breath.
Advertisement
Even for professional footballers, that has a potentially significant impact – increased heart rate, shortness of breath, dehydration, quicker and more intense fatigue.
The fixture will kick off in the early evening, when temperatures are forecast to be about 20C. Had it moved to midday, temperatures would have been about 23C.
What is happening with pubs and schools?
While an earlier kick-off time would probably have pleased fans back in England, it could have proved disruptive to supporters attending the match.
More than 3,000 England fans are set to attend the fixture at the Azteca, which holds 87,000.
Advertisement
Travel plans are often finalised months in advance, and changing them at short notice can be costly to supporters.
Back in the UK, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced on Thursday that emergency legislation had been passed to allow pubs in England and Wales to open until 5am.
It is unclear whether that would have been reversed had Fifa changed the kick-off time of the fixture in Mexico City.
Parents nationwide may have welcomed an earlier kick-off time, too.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel said earlier this week that schoolchildren should be able to watch the match in the early hours of Monday, and urged parents to “write an excuse for school” the next day.
Advertisement
A government spokesperson responded: “It is up to parents to make their own decisions. We want everyone to enjoy the game but children should be at school on Monday.”
Read the full article here