FIFA weighs earlier kick-off for Mexico-England World Cup match amid weather concerns

FIFA is evaluating whether to shift the start time of the round-of-16 match between Mexico and England at the Estadio Azteca. The game, currently set for 6 p.m. local time on Sunday, could be moved forward by several hours because of a risk of heavy rain and flooding, sources briefed on the talks said. The Mexican Football Federation confirmed the discussions, but a final decision has not been made.

If the Mexico-England fixture is moved earlier, it may overlap with the Brazil-Norway match, scheduled for 4 p.m. ET at MetLife Stadium. The Brazilian Football Confederation said a change is possible and that they are awaiting FIFA’s decision.

Extreme weather has already affected matches in Mexico City, with the round-of-32 tie between Mexico and Ecuador delayed by an hour because of thunder and lightning. Other games in the tournament have faced severe weather, such as France’s group-stage match against Iraq, which was paused for more than two hours after thunderstorms struck the Philadelphia area.

FIFA’s 2026 World Cup regulations allow the organization to cancel, reschedule, or relocate matches for reasons including force majeure, health, safety, or security concerns.

The English FA learned of the possible rescheduling from journalists at a training session after the story appeared in the Mexican press. The original kick-off time had prompted the UK government to permit pubs to remain open until 5 a.m. BST for the broadcast; it is unclear whether that permission will be reversed.

England’s team hotel in Mexico City is expected to have roadblocks around its perimeter as a security measure following incidents of fan disturbances near the Ecuador team hotel during their previous match.

Meteorologists note that July is Mexico City’s rainy season, with an 80 percent chance of afternoon showers on Sunday. Forecasts show mostly cloudy skies and temperatures around 73 °F (23 °C) at noon, rising to a 60 percent chance of showers by 6 p.m.

Mexico’s head coach Javier Aguirre expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed change, saying he was not consulted and that evening matches suit his team’s style of play.