The World Cup 2026 match between England and co-hosts Mexico could be moved to an earlier kick-off time.
Mexico vs England in Mexico City is scheduled to start at 6:00pm on Sunday local time, meaning a 1:00am kick-off on Monday in British Summer Time. The overnight scheduling is England’s latest of the World Cup and persuaded Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel to ask parents to allow their children to stay up through the early hours.
Thunderstorms are forecast in the area around Mexico City Stadium on Sunday evening, prompting speculation that the round of 16 match could be beset by weather delays.
It is now being reported by Mexican broadcaster Claro Sports that an alternative solution is on the table as FIFA and local authorities seek to minimise disruption at a time of year when storms are common.
“The match will now be played at 12:00pm Central Time (Mexico), instead of 6:00pm as originally planned,” reports Claro Sports. “This is due to the National Meteorological Service’s forecast of thunderstorms in Mexico City on Sunday.”
A six-hour move would mean a 7:00pm kick-off UK time, which would solve a wide variety of problems for England fans watching from home but cause some rather more significant ones for those planning to attend in person.
It will also cut across the round of 16 game between Brazil and Norway, which kicks off at 9:00pm UK time in New Jersey and could also move as a result. That match will be broadcast on ITV, while the BBC has selected the England match.
“This would affect the plans of both teams, as they would also have to modify their activities already planned for Saturday, the day before the match, as well as their training sessions and travel arrangements,” reports Claro Sports.
“The situation is not new for the Mexican national team at the 2026 World Cup. The match against Ecuador, played last Sunday at the Azteca Stadium, was delayed by an hour due to an electrical storm in the capital, before the team led by Javier Aguirre achieved a 2-0 victory.”
England are facing the disadvantage of playing at altitude and prioritised recovery time at their base in Kansas City over trying in vain to maximise acclimatisation ahead of their visit to Azteca.
Further reducing that time by six hours is unlikely to have a serious detrimental effect over the difficulties already faced by England but the logistical work that’s going to be required over the next two days is going to be significant.
The daytime weather in Mexico City on Sunday is not expected to be an additional concern for England.
FIFA is able to reschedule World Cup fixtures. It has not yet confirmed the move.