FIFA in talks to move England vs Mexico kick-off time amid threat of severe weather | OneFootball

Fans back home may get lucky break as 1am start time could be canned

England’s round of 16 game at the World Cup at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City was due to kick off at 6pm local time on Sunday and 1am BST on Monday morning.

But the possibility of a thunderstorm close to kick-off has prompted FIFA to considering playing the fixture six hours earlier than planned.

The match could now begin at noon local time and 7pm BST on Sunday.

Mexico’s last-32 clash with Ecuador at the Azteca was delayed due to a lightning storm last week

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Fans wait out the weather after Mexico vs Ecuador was delayed

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News of the possible change of kick-off time was only communicated to the FA as the England team were preparing to board a Friday afternoon flight from their base camp in Kansas City to Mexico City.

A decision by the world football’s governing body will have significant ramifications for a number of fans who may now have to change flights or travel plans to the game at short notice.

The developments also come after significant discussion in UK Parliament, which led to pubs in England and Wales being given special late-night licences allowing them to stay open until 5am on Monday morning, allowing fans back home to take in the full match.

That decision could now be redundant given that the new kick-off time in the UK is 7pm.

Mexico's round of 16 game against Ecuador last week was delayed by an hour before kick-off due to electrical storms in Mexico City. That game was also held at the Azteca.