FIFA is thinking about changing the Mexico vs England game time in a move they don’t usually make.
FIFA is planning to change the start time of the World Cup last 16 match between Mexico and England at Estadio Azteca, according to reports. Fans in the UK were getting ready for a late 1am kick-off, with pubs allowed to stay open until 5am.
However, weather worries popped up on Friday. The Met Office forecasted possible thunderstorms an hour before the game, between 5pm and 7pm local time in Mexico City. Because of this, BBC Sport is reporting that FIFA might delay the kick-off, which would be a rare move.
One idea is to push the game back to 12pm local time, which would be 7pm in the UK. Local news in Mexico first reported the likely change, saying it’s because of the thunderstorm risk. FIFA hasn’t officially confirmed this or the exact reason yet.
There have been mixed reports about when the Football Association (FA) was told about the change. The Sun said FIFA informed them on Friday, but Sky News says that’s not confirmed. SPORTbible has reached out to both FIFA and the FA but hasn’t heard back.
Thunderstorms have already caused problems during this World Cup. For example, the France vs Iraq match’s second half was delayed by two hours due to bad weather, following US safety rules that stop outdoor activities for 30 minutes after each lightning strike within 8-10 miles of the stadium.
Mexico has seen delays too, like their last 32 game against Ecuador, which started an hour late. Despite delays, hydration breaks have still been part of the matches.
If the kick-off does change, it’s great news for fans watching at home, but it might be tougher for England and their coach Thomas Tuchel. The new 12pm start would mean warmer temperatures—around 22 degrees Celsius, possibly rising to 25 later. A 7pm kick-off would have been cooler, about 20 degrees, which could matter, especially if the match goes into extra time or penalties.