FIFA Scraps Plan to Move Mexico-England World Cup Match Earlier

FIFA explored moving the 2026 World Cup knockout match between Mexico and England six hours earlier, but ultimately shelved the idea due to logistical hurdles and objections from both national teams. The proposed shift would have seen the game at the Estadio Azteca begin at 2 PM instead of 8 PM. Mexican authorities had expressed concerns about security following the deaths of fans celebrating a victory over Ecuador.

According to the Daily Mail, the change was close to being finalized but met resistance from both England and Mexico. Mexico's coach, Javier Aguirre, described the proposal as "a kick in the stomach," emphasizing the disruption to their entire preparation plan.

Another significant factor preventing the alteration was the scheduling of the Brazil versus Norway match at MetLife Stadium. An earlier start for the Mexico-England game would have left only two hours between the two matches, a gap deemed unworkable by organizers.

FIFA ultimately decided to maintain the original match schedule, despite ongoing concerns about potential storms and heavy rain on the day of the game. Mexican authorities are preparing a substantial security operation to manage the large crowds of fans expected in Mexico City.