England’s World Cup last-16 tie against Mexico is set to be moved to 19:00 BST on Sunday – a five-hour shift from the original 01:00 BST Monday kick-off – as forecasts of thunderstorms and lightning force Fifa to reconsider the timing. The match at Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca had been due to start at 6pm local time, but predictions of severe storms around that hour have prompted discussions over rescheduling. Under tournament safety rules, any lightning strike detected within eight miles of the stadium triggers an automatic 30-minute delay, with no maximum suspension period. Two games at this World Cup have already been delayed by storms: Mexico’s round-of-32 win over Ecuador began an hour late, and France’s group-stage victory over Iraq was halted for two hours at half-time in Philadelphia. Last summer’s Club World Cup in the United States saw six major weather delays across 63 matches.
Thousands of England fans now face travel chaos, while those back home had been preparing for a 1am start. On Thursday, Sir Keir Starmer used emergency powers to allow pubs across England and Wales to stay open until 5am – a concession that may prove unnecessary if the move is confirmed. The TUC’s General Secretary, Paul Nowak, has urged employers to show flexibility. “World Cup fever has gripped the UK, with millions of workers across the country cheering on the Three Lions,” he said. “The timing of England’s match against Mexico is not ideal for fans. That’s why we are appealing to employers to show some common sense and understanding by allowing their staff to work flexibly where possible.” Alex Hall-Chen from the Institute of Directors added: “Not many people will be at their sharpest after an England match that finishes in the middle of the night. Where businesses can accommodate it, a little flexibility on Monday morning could go a long way.” Data from Gong Labs shows companies have already scheduled roughly 30% fewer morning meetings, while research by AO.com suggests more than a quarter of people are considering throwing a sickie or arriving late. An estimated 17.8 million fans are forecast to stay up for the original slot, with 14.3 million watching from home and 3.5 million heading to pubs.
“England's World Cup last-16 match against Mexico moved to 7pm BST due to storm threat, disrupting fans and pub plans.”
England winger Marcus Rashford, asked about the potential change at the squad’s Friday training session, said it was “not ideal” but the team would cope. “I think for us it’s the same how we prepare for the game,” he said. “It has to be the same. We have to be focused. We have to be ready for anything. I think it’s one of our strengths as a group. Everyone, including the players and staff… we are ready for whatever challenges get thrown at us. So obviously it’s not ideal but also it doesn’t really matter.”
The build-up has been dominated by the Azteca’s altitude – 7,220ft (2,240m) above sea level – where Mexico have lost just twice in 89 matches. A midday local kick-off means temperatures of about 26°C, six degrees higher than the original early evening slot, making conditions even more punishing. Fifa regulations give the organisation the right to “cancel, reschedule or relocate” matches at its sole discretion, but no decision has been formally announced. The match will be broadcast live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website and app.