Mexico vs. England World Cup Match to Proceed as Planned

The World Cup match between Mexico and England is set to take place on Sunday at its originally scheduled time. Despite concerns about a potential thunderstorm in the afternoon, FIFA has decided against rescheduling the match, according to insiders.

The game at Azteca Stadium will kick off at 6 p.m. local time (8 p.m. EDT). Initial talks had considered starting the round of 16 game earlier due to the possibility of flooding. An official from the Mexican federation confirmed that FIFA ultimately chose to maintain the schedule.

Mexico’s coach, Javier Aguirre, had criticized the idea of changing the match time. He expressed frustration, saying, “We must change everything. It’s not that all the work goes down the drain, but rescheduling would require scrapping six hours of planned preparation. My team and I are not pleased.”

Changing the match schedule would have also impacted England’s preparation. The team, arriving late Friday, planned their Saturday training session at UNAM Pumas in southern Mexico City. A shift would have left them with inadequate time to adjust to the city’s high elevation.

The Azteca Stadium’s altitude exceeds 7,300 feet (2,200 meters), presenting challenges for athletes. Experts say acclimatization is crucial for performance, with a recommendation of either an extended stay or arriving just before game time. England’s coach, Thomas Tuchel, emphasized the difficulty of adapting, noting, “It is just a huge advantage that Mexico will have.”

This match will be the fifth and final World Cup game played in Mexico City this year.