The FA is really worried about FIFA’s plan to change the kick-off time for the Mexico vs England game.
The Football Association (FA) is said to be very worried about how changing the kick-off time for the Mexico vs. England game might affect fans traveling to the match. The World Cup last 16 game was originally set to start at 1pm UK time (6pm local) in Mexico City.
However, FIFA is thinking about moving the kick-off to 7pm UK time (12pm local), according to BBC Sport. The Met Office has forecast possible thunderstorms about an hour before the original start time, which could cause delays if the game begins as planned.
FIFA hasn’t officially explained these talks yet.
The Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) told The Athletic that there “might” be a change to when Brazil plays Norway on the same day in New Jersey. Mexico vs. England starts two hours earlier (in Eastern Time), so if that game goes into extra time or penalties, it could overlap with Brazil’s match. There’s no clear rule about moving games to avoid overlaps, but FIFA seems to want to prevent it.
For now, all eyes are on when the Mexico vs. England game will start. At first, reports were mixed about what the FA knew, but the FA now says no change has been confirmed or told to them.
The Daily Mirror reports the FA is “deeply concerned” about how a seven-hour change in kick-off would affect fans traveling to Estadio Azteca. The FA only heard about the possible change when it was first reported by Mexican media around 6pm UK time. Claro Sports, a national outlet, was the first to report the move.
Neither the FA nor the Mexican Football Federation has officially been told there will be a change, even with just two days to go before the game.
SPORTbible has asked the FA for a comment but hasn’t heard back yet.
England’s team is believed to have arrived in Mexico City on Friday after delaying their trip a bit while manager Thomas Tuchel and his coaches finished their plans. If the kick-off time changes, they may need to adjust those plans since it’s expected to be up to five degrees warmer earlier in the day.