England's World Cup round of 16 match against Mexico in Mexico City is set to kick off at 1am UK time on Monday morning, meaning thousands of fans across London and the UK will be staying up late or waking up early to watch Thomas Tuchel's team attempt to reach the quarter-finals. However, the game could finish well after 4am in a nightmare scenario involving extra time, penalties, or weather delays.
Schools and Businesses Adjust Schedules
Several schools and businesses in the capital have confirmed they will open late on Monday to accommodate the match. Unions have urged employers to be flexible, and data from Gong Labs, a platform that connects to business calls and emails, indicates that companies have scheduled nearly a third fewer meetings on Monday. A poll by The Standard found that over a third of Londoners plan to skip work on Monday; out of 102 Londoners polled, 35% said they would bunk off, while only 20% planned to work as usual. About 7% had booked the day off specifically for the game, and 18% said they would work from home.
Police Criticise Pub Opening Hours
Pubs will be allowed to stay open until 5am for the match, but the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) has criticised the timing of the Government's decision. In a joint statement, Chief Constable Mark Roberts, NPCC lead for football policing, and Acting Chief Constable Scott Green, NPCC lead for alcohol licensing and harm reduction, said the "late announcement" forced police forces to adapt plans and divert officers from communities. With over 1,000 venues set to open until 5am, police have pleaded with fans to drink sensibly and be considerate to others.
Possible Finish Times
The match kicks off at 6pm local time in Mexico City (1am UK time). If it finishes in normal time, it will end around 3am. If extra time and penalties are required, the finish could be pushed to around 4am. However, a third scenario involving thunderstorms could cause significant delays. Mexico's win over Ecuador in the last 16 at the same venue was delayed by an hour due to storms, and France's victory over Iraq in Philadelphia was paused for two hours earlier in the tournament. England's warm-up match against Costa Rica in Orlando also faced weather delays.
Weather Threatens Further Delays
According to the Met Office forecast as of Friday afternoon, thunderstorms are expected near the Estadio Azteca around kickoff time, which could delay the start. Under tournament rules, any lightning strike detected within eight miles of the stadium would cause an immediate suspension, with the match only resuming 30 minutes after the last strike. The countdown resets if more storms arrive. This could mean the match might not start until well after 1am or face lengthy delays during play. With pubs closing at 5am, rowdy fans could spill onto the streets around morning rush hour.
