England's World Cup round of 16 match against Mexico on Sunday could be moved to noon local time (7pm BST), according to local media reports. The game at the Estadio Azteca was originally scheduled to kick off at 6pm local time (1am BST) but may be rescheduled due to a risk of thunderstorms.
Previous weather disruptions at the tournament
Mexico's round of 32 match against Ecuador earlier this week was delayed due to rain, while France's group game against Iraq in Philadelphia was interrupted for two hours because of thunderstorms. These incidents have raised concerns about the impact of severe weather on match schedules.
Soccer's world governing body Fifa, when reached by Reuters, did not confirm nor deny that the kick-off time had been changed. Officials are monitoring the weather forecast closely to ensure player and spectator safety.
Potential impact on fans and broadcast
A move to noon local time would shift the broadcast to 7pm in the UK, a more favorable slot for British viewers. However, it could affect travel plans for fans already in Mexico City. The Azteca stadium has a capacity of over 87,000, and any schedule change would require coordination with local authorities and broadcasters.
More details are expected to follow as the match day approaches. England and Mexico are both seeking a spot in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup.
