FIFA is considering bringing forward the kick-off time of England’s World Cup round-of-16 game against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca.
Sunday’s game is currently slated to start at 6pm local time (8pm ET; Monday 1am BST), but talks are being held over bringing it forward by several hours due to risk of weather disruption, including flooding, according to sources briefed on the talks. The Mexican Football Federation also confirmed the talks, with a final decision not yet confirmed.
If the Mexico-England game is brought forward, it would likely clash with the day’s other last-16 tie between Brazil and Norway, which is due to begin at 4pm ET/9pm BST at MetLife Stadium. Discussions are also being held about pushing back that match. “A change is possible and we are waiting on FIFA,” a spokesperson for the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) told The Athletic.
Extreme weather has already impacted one match in Mexico City during this World Cup. Kick off in Mexico’s round-of-32 tie against Ecuador was pushed back by an hour due to thunder and lightning in the surrounding area. Aaron Mentkowski — The Athletic’s weather expert who is the chief meteorologist at WKBW, the ABC affiliate in Buffalo, N.Y. — says, at present, the forecast looks like a typical Mexico City summer’s day.
How big of a test do England face in the Azteca?
Mark Critchley
Other games at the tournament have been threatened by severe weather but have not been moved by organizers FIFA, with France’s group-stage match with Iraq delayed mid-game by more than two hours (131 minutes) after thunderstorms hit the wider Philadelphia area.
France’s last-16 meeting with Paraguay on Saturday, again at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, could see temperatures reach as high as 100F at kick-off but, as yet, is set to go ahead as planned.
FIFA’s 2026 World Cup regulations state that world football’s governing body “has the right to cancel, reschedule or relocate one or more matches (or the entire FIFA World Cup 26) for any reason at its sole discretion, including as a result of force majeure or due to health, safety or security concerns.”
The Athletic has contacted FIFA, the English FA and the Norwegian FA for comment.
The English FA only found out about the potential rescheduling from journalists at a training session, after the story had originally broken in the Mexican press.
The original kick-off time for the England match had prompted the UK government to allow pubs, which would usually close around 11pm BST, to stay open until 5am in order to show the match. It is as yet unclear whether this decision will be reversed.
Meanwhile, England’s team hotel in Mexico is expected to have roadblocks around its perimeter to guard against pre-game disruption.
The move to ramp up measures around where England will stay comes after Ecuador’s time in the capital city ahead of their round-of-32 defeat by Mexico was interrupted by fans setting off fireworks, chanting and revving vehicle engines outside their hotel throughout the evening.
Sunday’s Mexico City forecast
By meteorologist and weather expert Aaron Mentkowski
As of now, the forecast looks like a typical summer day in Mexico City.
July is the rainy season in Mexico City, and afternoon showers and thundershowers should be expected. This Sunday, there is an 80 percent chance for afternoon showers and thundershowers, a very common occurrence this time of year. Don’t expect much of a change in the forecast over the next 48 hours.
At 12pm, which sources say might be the new start time, expect mostly cloudy skies with a temperature of 73F (23C). The chance for rain will increase as the afternoon moves along. At 6pm, there is a 60 percent chance for showers and thundershowers with a temperature of 65F (18C).
Interestingly, Miami, Philadelphia, and Kansas City are all sites that held matches in which the weather forecast indicated thunderstorms, and those games were not rescheduled in advance.
Also, Saturday’s match in Philadelphia is under an Extreme Heat Warning with an additional concern for thunderstorms during the tilt, and it is still scheduled to start at 5pm.
Will Mexico have an advantage?
Not according to head coach Javier Aguirre. “I don’t like this at all,” he said to Radio Formula, adding that no-one consulted him about the potential change.
Aguirre also said that Mexico has been playing very well in the evenings, and that it was an ideal game time for his team.
The coach added that he has two players who have knocks and now their recovery is more complicated: “No one asked for my opinion, but I don’t like this. FIFA is the boss here. It’s a very significant change. I’m very p—ed off.”
How did England and others get here?
England topped its group after wins over Croatia and Panama either side of a draw with Ghana. Thomas Tuchel’s side then survived a scare against DR Congo in the round of 32 before captain Harry Kane scored twice to secure progress.
Tournament co-hosts Mexico has impressed on its way to the last 16 as one of only three teams to win all of their group games. Mexico then saw off Ecuador in the round of 32, in that game which was delayed by an hour.
Brazil drew with Morocco to open their tournament before beating Haiti and Scotland in the group and then Japan, via a stoppage-time Gabriel Martinelli goal, in the first knockout round. Norway needed their own late goal to get past Ivory Coast in the round of 32, after following France through in second place from Group I.