Tuchel urges parents to let children stay up for England's 1am World Cup clash with Mexico

Thomas Tuchel has urged parents across England to let their children stay up past bedtime to watch the Three Lions take on co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 1am BST on Monday.

The appeal comes after England secured their place in the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday, 1 July, when Harry Kane scored twice in a victory over DR Congo.

With the Mexico match falling deep into the early hours of a school night, Tuchel acknowledged the awkward timing but argued the occasion justifies the exception.

“There’s so much school to go to but the World Cup is every four years,” the England manager said. “There will be a big, big match on in four days. We need the support of everyone, and especially of the children.”

The Azteca Stadium, one of football’s most iconic venues, adds further weight to the fixture. Mexico enter the game as tournament co-hosts alongside the United States and Canada, giving the tie an atmosphere that Tuchel is clearly keen to harness from afar.

Kane’s brace against DR Congo underlined England’s attacking intent in the group stage, and a place in the quarter-finals is now within reach if Tuchel’s side can navigate a hostile environment in Mexico City.