The World Cup Round of 16 game between England and co-host Mexico is likely to be brought forward six hours to avoid a forecast thunderstorm at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The match, initially slated to start at 6 p.m. local time on Sunday, July 5, is now set to take off at 12 p.m. local time, according to Mexican outlet Claro Sports.
The change is due to the likelihood of a rainstorm.
England’s World Cup last-16 tie with Mexico could be moved from its current 1am (UK time) kick-off due to thunderstorms and bad weather set to hit Mexico City 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/nwAgnj84Ny
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) July 3, 2026
World Cup rules grant FIFA the ability to “cancel, reschedule or relocate” matches “at its sole discretion.”
If approved, the adjustment means UK viewers would now see the game at 7 p.m. BST instead of the early hours of Monday morning, a shift welcomed by England fans.
The original 1 a.m. BST start time had spurred the British government to pass emergency laws that would allow pubs to sell alcohol until 5 a.m., but it is not certain if those extended hours will still be in place if the event moved to primetime Sunday evening.
England qualified for the last 16 after a come-from-behind 2-1 win over DR Congo, with captain Harry Kane scoring twice
A storm interrupted France’s group-stage game against Iraq in Philadelphia for more than two hours, while Mexico’s Round of 32 game against Ecuador was delayed an hour for the same reason.
