England’s World Cup last-16 showdown against Mexico is expected to be moved to an earlier kick-off time on Sunday, with FIFA locked in discussions over the fixture amid fears of severe thunderstorms in Mexico City.

The match at the iconic Estadio Azteca was originally scheduled for 01:00 BST on Monday (18:00 local time on Sunday), but forecasts predicting heavy rain and lightning have prompted world football’s governing body to explore rescheduling the game to 19:00 BST on Sunday. Under tournament safety protocols, any lightning detected within eight miles of the stadium triggers an automatic 30-minute delay. FIFA regulations for the 2026 World Cup grant the organisation the authority to “cancel, reschedule or relocate” matches “at its sole discretion”.

However, the proposed change has not been well received by the Football Association. Sources told BBC Sport that the FA was caught off guard by the reports, which first emerged in Mexican local media, and that officials were continuing planning as normal on Friday. England’s players, who were finishing training at their Kansas City base when news broke, appeared unfazed by the disruption.

Winger Marcus Rashford acknowledged the inconvenience but stressed the squad’s ability to adapt. “I think for us it’s the same how we prepare for the game,” Rashford said. “It has to be the same. We have to be focused. We have to be ready for anything. I think it’s one of our strengths as a group. Everyone, including the players and staff… we are ready for whatever challenges get thrown at us. So obviously it’s not ideal but also it doesn’t really matter”.

Forward Morgan Rogers echoed that sentiment, viewing the change as simply another hurdle. “It’s just another obstacle to overcome. We’ll be ready regardless of the time,” Rogers said. “Earlier the better because you want to play. There is enough thinking about what is going to happen and the build-up – you just want to play the game. Getting that adrenaline out there will help us and get us going and playing. We’re looking forward to it whatever the time is”.

Weather Concerns Haunt Tournament

Extreme weather has been a recurring theme throughout this World Cup, which is being co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States. FIFA introduced mandatory three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half for all matches due to high temperature concerns, though the breaks have continued even in milder conditions. Mexico has already experienced interruptions, with their last-32 tie against Ecuador delayed by an hour because of thunder and lightning in Mexico City.

The build-up to Sunday’s fixture has also been dominated by discussion of the Estadio Azteca’s altitude — 7,220 feet above sea level. At that elevation, the air is thinner, meaning less oxygen enters the bloodstream with each breath, which can lead to increased heart rate, shortness of breath, and accelerated fatigue. The original early-evening kick-off was expected to see temperatures around 20°C, while a midday start could push temperatures to 23°C, potentially making conditions even more challenging.

Disruption for Fans and Pubs

While an earlier kick-off may be welcomed by viewers in England, the late-notice change could prove chaotic for the more than 3,000 England supporters travelling to the 87,000-capacity Azteca, whose plans had been finalised weeks or months in advance. The timing also casts uncertainty over emergency legislation passed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer allowing pubs in England and Wales to open until 5am on Monday — a decision that may now be reversed. England manager Thomas Tuchel had earlier encouraged parents to let their children stay up to watch the match and “write an excuse for school” the next day.

Storm Risk Remains High

Ben Rich, the BBC’s Lead Weather Presenter, warned that while daily thunderstorms are typical in Mexico City at this time of year, the risk on Sunday is particularly elevated. Mexican forecasters expect troughs in the atmosphere over central parts of the country to create instability, allowing air to rise rapidly and form cumulonimbus clouds capable of producing frequent lightning and hail.

Thunderstorm activity typically peaks during the late afternoon and evening, meaning an earlier kick-off could allow the match to proceed before the worst conditions develop — though that outcome is far from guaranteed. “There is still a chance of a shower at midday, but the chance is smaller than it would be later in the day — and any showers that do develop would be less likely to grow into severe thunderstorms,” Rich explained. Temperatures are expected to peak at 23°C, several degrees higher than the evening forecast, though midday humidity may actually be lower.