England-Mexico World Cup match to kick off as scheduled after Fifa

England's World Cup last-16 tie against Mexico will kick off as scheduled at 01:00 BST on Monday after Fifa abandoned a proposal to bring the game forward. Football's world governing body held talks with the English and Mexican football associations on Friday after suggesting the match be moved to 19:00 BST on Sunday (12:00 local time).

Proposed change sparked anger

Weather forecasts indicated possible thunderstorms at the proposed earlier time, though Fifa did not provide an explanation for its suggested change. Sources told BBC Sport that Fifa had been set to reschedule the fixture and confirm it in a statement, but news of the proposal angered both English and Mexican officials.

The Football Association (FA) requested time to review the weather forecast in more detail. As talks progressed, concerns over the impact on player preparation, fan travel, and the logistics of moving such a high-profile game were discussed. As a result, the match in Mexico City is now due to be played at its original kick-off time of 18:00 local time on Sunday.

Fifa's regulatory power

Fifa regulations for the 2026 World Cup state that the governing body has the right to “cancel, reschedule or relocate” matches “at its sole discretion”. The proposed change was first reported by local media in Mexico. Fifa maintained no decision had been made and, after pushback from both associations, it was decided to keep the tie at its original kick-off time.

Broadcast details

The match will be broadcast live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live, and the BBC Sport website and app. Reports in Mexico claimed the BBC was part of lobbying for an earlier kick-off time, but a BBC spokesperson said the corporation was “not involved in these discussions”.

Timeline of events

BBC Sport first contacted the FA at 19:00 BST on Friday following reports the fixture was being rescheduled. At that point, the FA had not received any information suggesting that was the case. Preparations for Sunday's game were continuing as normal, with FA officials involved in planning and security discussions. However, within half an hour, the FA was informed by Fifa that it was exploring the possibility of rescheduling the fixture.

The reports broke as England's players were finishing training at their Kansas City base. With preparations well under way, officials felt it was too late for the fixture to be rescheduled and were angered that they were seemingly left in the dark.

Players' reactions

While officials were privately incensed, England's players brushed off any suggestion that the uncertainty would impact the game. Asked as he was leaving the pitch about the possibility of the game being moved, winger Marcus Rashford said it was “not ideal” but the squad would deal with it. “I think for us it's the same how we prepare for the game,” he said. “It has to be the same.”

Forward Morgan Rogers was similarly unfazed, saying: “We'll be ready regardless of the time. We're looking forward to it whatever the time is.”

Mexico manager's response

Before the kick-off time was confirmed unchanged, Mexico manager Javier Aguirre appeared to suggest the Mexican FA had been told the game would be brought forward. Speaking to local radio station Grupo Formula, the 67-year-old described the proposed change as a “kick in the stomach”.

“We have to change everything,” he said. “It's not that [Mexico's preparation] is completely ruined but almost, because you have to swallow six hours that you had programmed. Obviously we will comply with Fifa. I don't like it at all, and neither do my players.”

Aguirre, who said an earlier kick-off time would not be an advantage to his team, said he had not been consulted over the proposals. “They didn't even ask for my opinion,” he said. “Fifa organises, Fifa decides, and I comply. We adapt, there are no excuses, and we have to play and win.”