World Cup 2026 Soccer FIFA makes decision on England-Mexico World Cup Round of 16 match time with weather issue brewing By Dylan Svoboda Published July 3, 2026, 8:25 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results.
Add The New York Post on Google England and Mexico’s Round of 16 matchup won’t be kicking off earlier than expected despite FIFA officials considering moving the World Cup match due to the risk of weather disruption, according to Reuters.
The match will still begin at 6 p.m. local time at Azteca Stadium, though FIFA reportedly considered moving it to noon local time — 7 p.m. in the U.K. and 2 p.m. ET — with the weather, including possible flooding, looming, according to ESPN.
The potential change comes after Mexico’s Round of 32 match against Ecuador in Mexico City was delayed due to rain.
An earlier kickoff time would’ve moved the match from cooler evening conditions into a brighter, hotter afternoon window, adding another wrinkle to an already high-profile knockout game.
England’s Jude Bellingham celebrates after Harry Kane scores their second goal against DR Congo. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters England midfielder Morgan Rogers wasn’t letting the potential time change bother him, though.
“It’s just another obstacle to overcome,” Rogers said, per ESPN. “We’ll be ready regardless of the time.
“Earlier the better because you want to play. There is enough thinking about what is going to happen and the buildup — you just want to play the game. Getting that adrenaline out there will help us and get us going and playing. We’re looking forward to it whatever the time is.”
A general view of the Estadio Azteca aka Mexico City Stadium ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Czechia and Mexico at Mexico City Stadium on June 24, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. Getty Images If the match started earlier, it would’ve added another variable added to what was already a tough test for England, who beat DR Congo in a 2-1 thriller to reach the Round of 16 on Wednesday.
The Englishmen will travel from Atlanta to Mexico City, which is more than 2,000 meters above sea level, which is top of mind for coach Thomas Tuchel.
“My understanding is that we cannot adapt to the altitude,” he said earlier this week. “That is just a huge advantage that Mexico will have. It just takes too much time. We have only three days in between [games]. This is physically just not possible to adapt to the altitude, which is quite high.”
England reportedly delayed traveling to Mexico until Friday, partly out of concern over spying by their opponent.
