In an unprecedented turn of events, England is preparing for the possibility that their last-16 match against Mexico may be rescheduled to an earlier time.
Current discussions are centered on moving the kickoff from its original 1 a.m. Monday slot to 7 p.m. Sunday night, or even earlier, due to the looming threat of thunderstorms in the area.
The Football Association’s executives are urgently seeking confirmation on the timing change before they board their flight from Kansas City to Mexico City later today. Remarkably, England could only be informed of the final decision while they are en route.
While this potential change would be welcomed by fans and pub owners at home, it presents a significant problem for traveling supporters who have already made costly arrangements to attend the match.
England’s preparations are at stake, as their meticulously planned Sunday itinerary, including meal schedules, may now need to be completely overhauled.
Asked how it would impact England’s chances of going through, midfielder Morgan Rogers said: ‘It’s just another obstacle to overcome. We’ll take it how it is.
‘Whatever the task is in front of us, whatever problem we face or different thing that we think might be a bit difficult, we’re just going to attack full front.’
England boss Thomas Tuchel is waiting to hear if the match against Mexico will change times
It would be brilliant news for fans in England, who faced the prospect of watching at 1am
Mexican media claim that the match at the Azteca Stadium will be brought forward six hours
If the game is moved, England will embrace the ‘VUCA’ principles.
Senior staff have spoken about the acronym that stands for ‘Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity’, and the challenges that have to be negotiated. This is an approach adopted by the US Army and will be relayed to the squad in the next 24 hours.
Asked for his reaction to the news, England’s Marcus Rashford dismissed suggestions of it causing major problems for Tuchel’s side.
‘For us, it’s the same,’ Rashford said last night.
‘How we prepare for the game has to remain the same. We have to be focused. We have to be ready for anything, and I think it’s a strength of the group – the players, the staff – we’re ready for whatever challenges get thrown at us. Obviously, it’s not ideal, but also it doesn’t matter.’
A move towards a midday kick-off would also see a slight rise in temperature although, at 22C, conditions would be cool at the Azteca.
An earlier start – at noon local time – would also reduce the amount of time Thomas Tuchel’s players are subjected to altitude, with the match played at 7,300ft above sea level.
As things stood tonight, FA insiders said they were ‘surprised’ to hear of the news through Mexican media rather than from FIFA itself.
Attempts to get to the bottom were being made while some were en-route to the airport.
News of the reported kick-off shift went down particularly poorly with the Mexican team, with manager Javier Aguirre particularly incensed,
‘It’s like a kick in the gut; now everything has to change,’ he told reporters on Friday.
‘It’s not that all the work is going down the drain, but almost, because you’re swallowing up six hours that you had scheduled. I don’t like it at all. Obviously, we’ll abide by what FIFA says, but neither I nor my players like it.
The tournament has already seen matches delayed by the weather but kick-off times have remained the same. In this instance, the potential duration of the storms has triggered discussions over whether bringing the match forward is the only practical solution.
It would be just the latest logistical adaptation for England prior to their impending visit to Mexico City.
Officials are planning a so-called ‘ring of steel’ around England’s Mexico City hotel – in an attempt to prevent a repeat of the raucous scenes that marred Ecuador’s visit.
Cars, fog horns, fireworks and loud music triggered a miserable night’s sleep for Mexico’s last opponents – and a complaint to FIFA.
However, it is understood that a series of measures are expected to be put in place to try and ensure Tuchel and his players do not face similar problems on the eve of their last-16 battle.
Keir Starmer has been criticised for a U-turn on pub licensing hours for the England match
The original kick-off time of 6pm local, 1am in England, caused major logistical problems for pubs eager to show the game having had great success for England matches during the tournament so far.
After a drawn out Thursday, departing PM Keir Starmer made a significant u-turn to allow pubs to remain open until 5am to facilitate showing the last-16 match.
But Starmer was today accused of making his U-turn on opening pubs for England’s World Cup game against Mexico too late after he bowed to popular opinion.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council criticised the timing of the Prime Minister’s move to let pubs stay open until 5am on Monday for the match after the Home Office initially resisted calls from inside government to amend licensing hours.
His late announcement means forces are now having to adapt plans and take officers away from community policing, with more than 1,000 venues staying open late.
Chief Constable Mark Roberts, NPCC lead for football policing, and Acting Chief Constable Scott Green, lead for alcohol licensing, criticised the ‘late announcement’ and asked fans to be considerate to others and drink ‘sensibly’ during the game.
Should FIFA ratify the decision to bring the match forward by six hours, it would be the very first game of the 2026 World Cup to be rearranged to a different time.
A large police presence is in place ready for England’s arrival in Mexico City later today
Officials have been working to create a ‘ring of steel’ around the team hotel in Mexico City
News of the alleged time change emerged late on Friday night when Andres Vaca, a commentator for Mexican channel TUDN, and newspaper El Universal claimed sources close to the Mexican national team were aware of a change.
England will already have to deal with the altitude in Mexico City and any change towards a midday kick-off local time would see the match take place at the day’s peak temperature.
The decision was made not to travel to Mexico City immediately after their round of 32 win over DR Congo in Atlanta, due to concerns about spying.
Tuchel and his players returned to their Kansas City base following their dramatic 2-1 victory over DR Congo on Wednesday night, rather than heading straight to their next World Cup destination.
And Daily Mail Sport understands that one of the main reasons for doing so is to ensure Tuchel can set out his tactical blueprint and formation in a secure environment, away from prying eyes.
Throughout the tournament England have been returning to their HQ close to the middle of the US. One of the factors behind the decision to be based in Kansas City is logistical, and the fact that it means they do not have to face any long flights.
However, it is understood that Tuchel is adamant that his plans will not be leaked and that vital preparations including team shape can be held in the most well-guarded place possible.
The possibility of others spying on England has been a key part of planning and it is understood that the view within the camp is that a trip to Mexico City comes with increased risks.
