Mexico vs England World Cup Round of 16 Match may Start at Original Time after Furious Reaction

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 clash between Mexico and England at the Estadio Azteca was set to be rescheduled on Sunday (July 5), but may be reinstated at the original time slot.

El Tri are set to lock horns against the Three Lions at the iconic stadium in a crucial encounter. Harry Kane and co. survived a scare against DR Congo to book their place against Mexico, who beat Ecuador in the Round of 32 clash.

In a significant development ahead of the clash, the highly anticipated Round of 16 clash between hosts Mexico and England was reportedly moved from its original 6:00 PM local time kickoff to 12:00 PM on Sunday, July 5, at Estadio Azteca. The change, which has generated excitement among Mexican fans, aims to mitigate risks from forecasted severe weather.

But as per Fox Deportes, FIFA has since backtracked from their plans after both England and Mexico protested against it. The Mexico coach Javier Aguirre was livid with the decision, while Football Association (FA) was also left stunned by it. As both teams were reluctant, the apex body may stay put with the original schedule of the high-profile encounter in Mexico City.

When will Mexico vs England start?

The clash will now start at 6 PM local time, which is 1 AM GMT in England in the early hours of Monday.

Why was Mexico vs England World Cup 2026 match rescheduled?

The rescheduling stemmed primarily from safety concerns due to predicted thunderstorms and lightning in the Mexico City area during the late afternoon and evening. Similar weather disruptions already affected Mexico's Round of 32 match against Ecuador, which started later than planned. By shifting the game to midday, organizers seek to avoid potential delays, lightning interruptions, or hazards for players, officials, and the massive crowd expected at the iconic high-altitude venue.