England-Mexico kick-off unchanged after Fifa U-turn

New Delhi, India Jul 4, 2026 ALN: 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.

Fifa 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). The sudden change was reportedly due to concerns about potential thunderstorms predicted for that time. However, Fifa did not provide any official explanation for the proposed change, leading to confusion and frustration among officials and players alike.

Weather forecasts suggested that thunderstorms could disrupt the match, raising questions about the safety and feasibility of playing under such conditions. Sources indicated that Fifa had been prepared to announce the rescheduling in an official statement, but the backlash from both the English and Mexican football associations prompted a reconsideration. As a result, the game in Mexico City is set to be played at its original kick-off time of 18:00 local time on Sunday.

Fifa regulations for World Cup 2026 grant the organization the authority to "cancel, reschedule or relocate" matches at its sole discretion. This power has been a point of contention in the past, as it places significant control in the hands of Fifa, sometimes at the expense of local organizing committees and participating teams. The proposed change was first reported by local media in Mexico, which likely added to the urgency and confusion surrounding the situation.

Despite the proposed change, Fifa maintained that no final decision had been made. Following the pushback from both associations, it was ultimately decided to retain the 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, allowing fans to follow the action as it unfolds.

Reports in Mexico indicated that the BBC was involved in lobbying for the original kick-off time, but a spokesperson for the BBC clarified that the corporation was not part of the discussions regarding the scheduling of the match.

What happened - and what did England players say?

BBC Sport first contacted the Football Association at 19:00 BST on Friday following reports that the fixture was being rescheduled. At that moment, the FA had not received any information regarding a change to the kick-off time. Preparations for Sunday’s game were continuing as normal, with FA officials engaged in planning and security discussions. However, within half an hour, the FA was informed by Fifa that it was exploring the possibility of rescheduling the fixture. This sudden development caught officials off guard, as they were already deep into their preparations.

The reports broke just as England's players were finishing training at their Kansas City base. With their preparations well underway, officials felt it was too late for the fixture to be rescheduled and expressed frustration at being seemingly left in the dark. While officials were privately incensed, England's players appeared to brush off any suggestion that the proposed change would impact their performance. Winger Marcus Rashford commented that it was "not ideal" but emphasized that the squad would adapt to the situation. "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 echoed this sentiment, stating, "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 final decision to keep the kick-off time as it was, Mexico manager Javier Aguirre expressed his discontent regarding the proposed change. He indicated that the Mexican FA had been informed about the potential rescheduling and described the situation as a "kick in the stomach" during an interview with a local radio station. Aguirre articulated the challenges posed by the proposed change, stating, "We have to change everything. It's not that [Mexico's preparation] is completely ruined but almost, because you have to swallow six hours that you had programmed."

Despite his frustration, Aguirre acknowledged that the team would comply with Fifa's directives, saying, "Obviously we will comply with Fifa. I don't like it at all, and neither do my players." He also noted that he had not been consulted regarding the proposed changes, highlighting the top-down nature of Fifa's decision-making process. "They didn't even ask for my opinion," he said. "Fifa organizes, Fifa decides, and I comply. 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 loomed large over the World Cup, which is being co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Fifa has taken measures to address these concerns, including the introduction of mandatory three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half for all World Cup fixtures due to the threat of high temperatures. These breaks have continued to be implemented even in more temperate conditions, underscoring Fifa's commitment to player safety amidst varying weather challenges.

Mexico has already experienced interruptions to their preparations during the tournament, with their last-32 tie against Ecuador delayed by an hour due to thunder and lightning in Mexico City. Similarly, France’s group-stage fixture against Iraq was delayed for over two hours because of safety concerns stemming from adverse weather conditions in Philadelphia. The unpredictability of weather has added an additional layer of complexity to the World Cup, impacting not just the scheduling of matches but also the overall experience for players and fans alike.

The build-up to Sunday’s fixture has been dominated by discussions about Mexico’s impressive record at the Estadio Azteca, as well as how England’s players will cope with the altitude. The stadium, which sits 7,220ft (2,240m) above sea level, has been a fortress for the Mexican national team, which has lost just twice in 89 matches at this iconic venue. At such an altitude, the Earth's barometric pressure is lower, resulting in thinner air and less oxygen entering the bloodstream with each breath. This can have significant implications for athletes, including increased heart rates, shortness of breath, dehydration, and quicker onset of fatigue.

The fixture is scheduled to kick off in the early evening, when temperatures are forecasted to be around 20°C. Had the match been moved to midday, temperatures would have been approximately 23°C, potentially exacerbating the challenges posed by the altitude. As teams prepare for the match, both England and Mexico will be keenly aware of the environmental factors that could influence performance and strategy on the pitch.