Several schools in London and other parts of England have announced they will open later on Monday morning to allow children who stayed up to watch England's 1am World Cup round-of-16 match against Mexico to get extra rest.
Match Details and School Arrangements
The match, kicking off at 1am BST in Mexico City, follows England's dramatic victory over DR Congo on Wednesday, where Harry Kane scored two goals after the African nation took an early lead. The timing poses challenges for schools, workplaces, and pubs across the capital. Pubs have benefited from a late U-turn by Sir Keir Starmer to allow them to stay open until 5am.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson had suggested children could manage to get to school on time even if they watched the game, but several schools have confirmed late openings. In south London, Oaks Park High School in Carshalton will start at 9.45am, with a letter to parents stating: "We hope these arrangements strike the right balance between recognising what is likely to be a memorable sporting occasion and ensuring that students continue to benefit from being in school." The school also encouraged children to rest before the match, warning that staying awake all night "is likely to leave them extremely tired."
Cheam High School, also in Sutton, will start at 10am. The headteacher wrote: "We would like to give our students and staff the opportunity to watch the match without worrying about getting up so early." In County Durham, Annfield Plain Infant School will open at 10am instead of 9am, while St Patrick's RC High School in Salford will not start lessons until 10am, though the school opens at 8.30am as usual. Similar measures are reported at Hill Avenue Academy in Wolverhampton and Castle Hill Primary School in Basingstoke.
Other Accommodations and Challenges
Other schools are showing highlights to pupils in the morning so they do not feel they missed out. England received a hostile welcome upon arriving at their Mexico City hotel on Saturday, with hundreds of fans booing and chanting "Mexico." The team had hoped to keep their location secret after Mexico supporters used loudspeakers, horns, and motorcycles to disturb Ecuador's players before their last-32 tie, which the co-hosts won 2-0.
Weather concerns led to speculation the match could be brought forward, but both England and Mexico opposed rescheduling less than 48 hours before kick-off. England also faces the challenge of the Azteca stadium's altitude of over 2,000 metres above sea level, requiring players to adapt to lower oxygen levels. Mexico has only been beaten twice in 89 matches at the Azteca, winning 70 and drawing 17, and are unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches at the stadium.
