2026 World Cup: Mexico vs. England Kickoff Time Changed—Here’s Why

England’s Round of 16 match against Mexico at the 2026 World Cup has been moved up to 8 p.m. on Sunday evening (Italian time). The BBC reported this. The match between the Three Lions and the Tricolor was originally scheduled for 1 a.m. Italian time at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

Organizers decided to move the match up because weather forecasts indicate possible thunderstorms and heavy rain around that time, although FIFA has not yet provided any official explanation for the change. During the group stage, France’s match against Iraq was delayed by more than two hours for safety reasons due to inclement weather in Philadelphia.

When asked on Friday after England’s training session about the possibility of the match being rescheduled, winger Marcus Rashford said the change “wouldn’t be ideal” for the British team, which is already having to adapt to the challenging climate in Mexico City.

“We have to stay focused. We have to be ready for anything. I think that’s one of our strengths as a group. Everyone—players and staff—we’re ready for whatever challenge comes our way. So obviously it’s not ideal, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t really change anything.”

The Azteca Stadium is located at an elevation of 2,240 meters, and Mexico has lost only two of 89 official matches at this iconic venue.