Mexico’s World Cup round-of-16 clash with England will stay at 6 p.m. local time in Mexico City, after FIFA declined to move it earlier following talks with both national associations.
The decision preserves the original schedule, even though concerns over Sunday evening weather had pushed Mexico’s government to ask for a noon kickoff. That request was rejected after opposition from the Mexican Football Federation and the English FA, according to sources told ESPN.
Why FIFA Stuck With the Original Time
FIFA wanted to avoid a repeat of Mexico’s round-of-32 match against Ecuador at the same venue, which was delayed by an hour because of thunderstorms. The governing body ultimately chose not to change the kickoff again.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre had already made clear he was unhappy with the idea of a shift, saying it would force the team to redo hours of planning. “It’s a kick in the gut; now we must change everything,” Aguirre told Radio Formula.
England’s Preparation Gets Even Tighter
The unchanged schedule also matters for England, which is set to arrive late Friday and train Saturday at the UNAM Pumas grounds in the south of the capital. A noon kickoff would have given the Three Lions less time to adjust to Mexico City’s altitude before the match.
Azteca Stadium sits at more than 7,300 feet above sea level, and sports scientists say elite athletes need time to acclimate because lower atmospheric pressure and reduced oxygen can increase fatigue. England coach Thomas Tuchel said the team cannot really adapt in just three days between its round-of-32 win over Congo DR and the Mexico game.
| Key Match Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Mexico vs. England, World Cup round of 16 |
| Kickoff | 6 p.m. local time in Mexico City |
| Venue | Azteca Stadium |
| Altitude | More than 7,300 feet above sea level |
Tuchel called the altitude “a huge advantage” for Mexico and said the team had “only three days” to prepare after the Congo DR match. That leaves England facing the challenge of a late arrival, limited acclimation time, and one of the highest-profile matches of the tournament on Mexico’s home turf.
ESPN’s James Olley, Lizzy Becherano and Tom Hamilton, as well as The Associated Press, contributed to this report.
