England's World Cup last-16 match against Mexico is set to have its kick-off time moved to 7pm BST on Sunday due to forecasts of heavy thunderstorms and rain in Mexico City. The game at Azteca Stadium was originally scheduled for 6pm local time on Sunday (1am BST on Monday), but has been switched to 12pm central time (7pm BST on Sunday), according to Latin America broadcaster Claro Sports.
Broadcaster confirms time change
Andres Vaca, a commentator for Mexico's official World Cup broadcaster TUDN, has also announced that the kick-off time for Mexico vs England has moved to the earlier time. FIFA has yet to officially confirm the switch.
Weather disruptions at the World Cup
Adverse weather has already affected two games at the World Cup this summer. Earlier this week, Mexico's win against Ecuador in the last-32 stage was delayed due to thunderstorms around Azteca Stadium, with the game kicking off an hour later than planned. Last week, France's 3-0 win against Iraq in Philadelphia was delayed by more than two hours due to heavy rain and thunderstorms in the area.
England's response
When asked about the proposed change, England forward Marcus Rashford said on Friday: 'I think for us it's the same how we prepare for the game. It has to remain the same, we have to be focused, we have to be ready for anything and I think it's one strength of the group and everyone, including the players and staff, that we are ready for whatever challenges are thrown at us. Obviously it's not ideal but also it doesn't really matter.'
Altitude concerns
England are still at their training base in Kansas City and are due to travel to Mexico City later on Friday. Concerns have already been raised by England's players and staff over playing against Mexico at altitude, as Azteca Stadium is around 7,200ft above sea level. Mexico, who are yet to concede a goal at the World Cup, have played all four of their matches at high altitude, with three games at Azteca Stadium and the other in Guadalajara, which is around 5,000ft above sea level.
Tuchel on altitude disadvantage
'The altitude will be a big disadvantage because we cannot physically adapt to it,' Thomas Tuchel said after England's win over DR Congo. 'It just takes too much time. We have only three days in between these matches. It's physically just not possible to adapt to the altitude. That is just a huge advantage that Mexico will have. More obstacles may come, but we are ready for that. This is just something with which we will have to deal. And I think we showed the attitude that we are ready for that.'
Security concerns
England are also looking to keep the location of their team hotel in Mexico City a secret from the public due to concerns over disturbances from supporters before the match. Ecuador, who were beaten by Mexico in the round of 32 on Wednesday, have submitted a complaint to FIFA this week after their players were kept awake by Mexico fans the night before the game. From midnight until the early hours of the morning on the day of the match, Mexico supporters gathered outside the Westin Hotel in Mexico City where Ecuador's squad was staying and used car horns, motorcycles and loudspeakers to disturb the players.
