England vs Mexico kick-off time to remain unchanged after FIFA talks amid threat of severe weather | OneFootball

Fans back home facing late night as start time confirmed

FIFA have decided to keep the kick-off time between England and Mexico in Mexico City at 1am BST despite talks to bring it forward six hours.

The world football governing body had been engaged in detailed talks on Friday to bring Sunday’s World Cup round of 16 match at Estadio Azteca forward from 6pm local time to 12 noon local time because of the threat of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall.

That would have seen the kick-off time in the UK change from 1am on Monday morning to the more sociable hour of 7pm on Sunday.

The prospective change was criticised publicly by the Mexico manager Javier Aguirre, who admitted he was “angry” at the schedule potentially changing at such short notice.

However, FIFA has decided to keep the kick-off time at 6pm local time.

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

Getty

Fans wait out the weather after Mexico vs Ecuador was delayed

Getty

Significant discussion in UK Parliament led to pubs in England and Wales being given special late-night licences allowing them to stay open until 5am on Monday morning by granting an exception to red tape that would normally require individual venues to apply for ​special permission to serve alcohol beyond standard hours.

Mexico's round of 16 game against Ecuador was delayed by an hour before kick-off due to electrical storms in Mexico City. That game was also held at the Azteca, which stands at 7,220 feet above sea level and will pose a challenge to England’s players due to high altitude.

England flew from Kansas City to Mexico City on Friday evening.

Matches at the Estadio Azteca have already been subject to weather delays during this tournament. Mexico’s last-32 victory over Ecuador got underway an hour late due to a lightning storm in the vicinity of the stadium.