England vs Mexico World Cup kick-off may shift six hours earlier to dodge Mexico City storms

England’s last-16 match against Mexico at World Cup 2026 may be brought forward by six hours, with local media in Mexico reporting the game could kick off at 7pm BST (12pm local time) on Sunday rather than its scheduled 1am BST slot (6pm local time).

Sources cited by Mexican media say the change is being considered due to a significant risk of storms in Mexico City at the time the match is currently set to begin. The concern is not without precedent — Mexico’s last-32 fixture against Ecuador earlier in the tournament was delayed by rain at the same venue.

FIFA has yet to officially confirm or deny the reported change. Should the earlier time be ratified, it would represent a considerable shift in the viewing experience for fans in England, replacing a late-night alarm-clock occasion with a prime-time Sunday evening fixture.

The potential rescheduling carries its own complications, however. Outgoing prime minister Sir Keir Starmer had already relaxed UK licensing laws to allow pubs to remain open until 5am to accommodate the original 1am kick-off, and it remains unclear how a confirmed time change would affect that decision. There is also an ongoing public debate about whether schools should allow children a delayed start on Monday morning — a question that would become largely moot if the match moves to the evening.

From a logistical standpoint, FIFA faces a scheduling puzzle of its own. The last-16 tie between Brazil and Norway is currently set to begin at 9pm BST. If the England–Mexico match were moved to 7pm and extended into extra time — or even accumulated a heavy amount of stoppage time — the two fixtures could overlap. FIFA’s standard practice outside the final round of group-stage matches is to avoid simultaneous games, making any earlier start time a delicate arrangement to manage.

No official announcement has been made and the situation remains fluid.