England have been left shocked after learning from the media that their World Cup last-16 tie against Mexico is being moved seven hours earlier to a noon kickoff local time – a switch prompted by the threat of thunderstorms and flooding in Mexico City. The FA has not received official confirmation from FIFA, and nor has the Mexican Football Federation, despite widespread reports in Mexico City that the match has already been rescheduled. The change, which would shift the UK viewing time from 1am to 7pm, leaves the FA deeply concerned about the impact on England fans travelling to the historic Azteca Stadium and on Thomas Tuchel’s squad preparations for playing at 2,240 metres above sea level.
The altitude challenge was already a major concern for Tuchel, who predicted this World Cup would be defined by suffering. England prepared for the heat in the US but have had no time to acclimatise to Mexico City’s 7,000ft (2,200m) elevation. At the Azteca, Mexico are close to unstoppable: they have lost there only twice in 89 competitive games, will be backed by a passionate crowd, and hold a physical advantage because of the thin air. Tuchel, who has talked about wanting his side to play like a Premier League team, now faces a stark tactical choice. The answer, according to the evidence of England’s disjointed pressing in their last-32 win over the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is to stifle Mexico with a low block – to slow the game down, take maximum time over every throw-in, and be as negative as José Mourinho’s Chelsea at Anfield in 2014. “They want us to be the clowns in the circus,” Mourinho told his players before that 2-0 counterpunching victory. “We are not going to be the clowns.”
“England's last-16 match against Mexico moved to noon local time due to storm threat; FA learned from media.”
England cannot give Mexico space to run in behind; the hosts have pace on the flanks and would love to play against a high line. Declan Rice is not at full speed in midfield, and the right side remains a problem. The government had confirmed pubs could stay open until 5am for the original 1am kick-off, but that extended licensing will no longer be required if the game moves to 7pm UK time. FIFA are still in ongoing discussions over the change, but with no official word from world football’s governing body, the FA and Tuchel are left preparing for a match they may have to play at an entirely different hour – and against an opponent that rarely loses at home.