England’s World Cup knockout match against Mexico could be shifted to a much more fan-friendly time slot this weekend, bringing relief to millions of supporters who were dreading a sleepless night.
The Three Lions were originally scheduled to face the co-hosts at 1am BST on Monday morning at the iconic Estadio Azteca, but severe tropical storm warnings in Mexico City have prompted FIFA to consider a dramatic change of plans.
Tournament organisers are now looking at moving the crucial last-16 tie forward to midday local time on Sunday, which would mean a 7pm kick-off for viewers back home.
The FA received word on Friday that this schedule adjustment remains a possibility, though nothing has been confirmed just yet.
England’s kick-off time against Mexico has been changed due to weather worries
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REUTERS
It’s brilliant news for the countless England fans who were preparing to stay up through the night before facing work and school on Monday morning.
Pubs across Britain had already been granted special permission to keep serving until 5am, but there’s now uncertainty about whether the government will stick with those extended hours if the match moves to prime-time Sunday evening.
Schools had even started drawing up contingency plans for tired children arriving late the following day.
The potential switch comes down to safety concerns, with tournament rules automatically triggering a 30-minute delay whenever lightning is detected within eight miles of the stadium.
Forecasters have been tracking alarming weather patterns around the Azteca, and officials are keen to avoid a repeat of the chaos that hit Mexico’s group stage encounter with Ecuador, which was pushed back by an hour due to wild conditions.
England beat DR Congo on Wednesday to set up a last-16 clash against Mexico
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REUTERS
Without the schedule change, storms could have created an absolute nightmare scenario, potentially dragging the final whistle past 4am UK time.
The BBC would need to completely rework their Sunday evening programming if the match does move to 7pm, as Wimbledon coverage is currently planned for that exact time slot.
Thomas Tuchel’s squad secured their place in the knockout rounds after battling to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over DR Congo on Wednesday.
Beyond the weather worries, England’s players face the considerable challenge of playing at altitude, with the Azteca sitting 2,240 metres above sea level.
For comparison, West Brom’s ground is the highest in English football at just 168 metres.
Mexico boast an incredible home record at the venue, losing only twice in 89 matches, something Tuchel himself has acknowledged as a significant advantage for the hosts.
