Three people were crushed to death in Mexico City on Tuesday night as crowds celebrated Mexico’s win against Ecuador — a tragedy that casts a shadow over England’s round of 16 clash against the co-hosts at the Estadio Azteca on Sunday. The match kicks off at 6pm local time, 1am BST, prompting England coach Thomas Tuchel to urge parents to let their children stay up and watch. “Write an excuse for school and let them watch,” Tuchel said after England’s 2-1 victory over DR Congo on Wednesday. “There’s so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch.”
But not all parents are convinced. One mother from Epping, Essex, said her two young children “couldn’t even if they wanted to — they struggled to make it to the 21:00 kick off for the Ghana match.” Another parent wrote on X: “Mine will be watching and still going into school the next day. What’s the big deal? The recent thunderstorms woke them up at 2am and they were fine.” A third backed Tuchel and called for Monday off for all pupils.
“Three people died in Mexico City celebrations as England fans face a 1am kick-off and Tuchel urges children to stay up.”
Steve Heal, headteacher of Malmesbury Church of England Primary School in Wiltshire, has a different plan: his school will show a replay at 07:00 on Monday. “I’ve asked parents not to tell their children the result before they arrive because we want everyone to experience the ups and downs together,” he said. “School really matters, but we also know how significant these events are.” Heal expects England to win on penalties and has prepared seats and food for all 420 pupils.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer announced that pubs in England and Wales can stay open until 05:00 on Monday to let fans watch until the final whistle. The match could finish closer to 04:00 if it goes to penalties.
For those travelling to Mexico City, the UK Foreign Office has issued warnings after the three celebratory deaths, which officials said were caused by asphyxiation at the Angel of Independence. The FCDO also reports increased mobile phone theft and drink spiking during the tournament, as well as ongoing protests by workers’ unions that have caused traffic disruption and occasional clashes with police. Foreign nationals are banned from joining demonstrations and face detention or deportation if they do.
The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Baja California, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Jalisco, Colima, Guerrero and Chiapas. Fans are urged to sign up for email alerts, download the official Fifa World Cup 25 app, and plan accommodation well ahead due to very high demand.