England's World Cup Knockout Match Rescheduled
England's World Cup Round of 16 clash with Mexico is set to be moved to an earlier kick-off time, according to reports in Mexico. The match, originally scheduled for a late evening start, will now kick off at 12:00pm local time (7:00pm BST) on Sunday, July 5, 2026, pending FIFA confirmation.
Fixture Details and Original Schedule
The highly anticipated knockout fixture will take place at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. It was initially set for a 6:00pm local time kick-off, which would have meant a 1:00am start for UK viewers. However, reports indicate the time has been brought forward significantly to avoid severe weather.
Reason for the Change
The schedule change has been prompted by safety concerns regarding severe weather. Local forecasts indicate a high risk of heavy rain, severe thunderstorms, and potentially disruptive weather conditions in Mexico City during the original evening slot. Earlier in the week, Mexico's Round of 32 match against Ecuador at the Azteca was delayed by heavy rain, while a match in Philadelphia was halted for two hours due to storms.
Under tournament regulations, FIFA holds the sole discretion to cancel, reschedule, or relocate any match. When approached regarding the media reports of the time change for this fixture, FIFA officials did not confirm nor deny the rescheduling.
UK Pub Extensions
Despite the earlier time, UK fans may still be able to celebrate late. Prime Minister Keir Starmer had already approved a special licensing extension allowing British pubs to remain open until 5am specifically for the England vs Mexico World Cup match.
