England's World Cup last-16 match against Mexico will proceed at its original kick-off time of 1am BST on Monday, July 6, 2026, after FIFA considered moving the tie forward by six hours due to the threat of a storm. The match at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City will go ahead as planned, despite reports that both teams were frustrated by the proposed change.
FIFA's Considered Change and Reaction
FIFA was said to be weighing a six-hour shift to avoid a potential storm, but ultimately decided against the alteration. Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre expressed strong displeasure, calling the proposed move 'a kick in the gut' during an interview with journalist Joaquin Lopez Doriga on Radio Formula. 'It changes everything, the plan. It's not that it's completely ruined, but almost, because you have to swallow six hours of scheduled training,' Aguirre said. 'Obviously, we will abide by what FIFA says. I don't like it at all, nor do my players. Of course, the food, the nap, the sleep, the physiotherapy, everything, everything, it seems trivial, but it isn't.'
England's Perspective
England forward Marcus Rashdown remained optimistic despite the uncertainty. 'I think for us it's the same how we prepare for the game. 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,' Rashford said.
Impact on Fans and Schools
Due to the early-hours kick-off, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that pubs in England and Wales would be allowed to open until 5am on Monday to accommodate fans. Additionally, several schools have relaxed attendance rules for Monday morning, permitting pupils to arrive later if they wished to watch the game. The Mirror reported that both sides were frustrated by the proposed change, but the match remains scheduled for 1am BST.
