Mexico vs England World Cup match kickoff stays at 6 p.m. local despite thunderstorm worries

FIFA confirmed that the round‑of‑16 clash between Mexico and England at the Azteca Stadium will start at the originally scheduled time of 6 p.m. local (1 a.m. UK), rejecting proposals to move the game six hours earlier due to forecast thunderstorms. Mexico’s weather service warned of an 80 % chance of lightning at 5 p.m. local, but officials said play can only be delayed if lightning is detected within an eight‑mile radius. The match will be played at more than 2,200 m altitude, a factor England coach Thomas Tuchel said gives Mexico a significant advantage because his players have only a few days to acclimatise. Both sides expressed frustration at the timing debate; Mexico coach Javier Aguirre called the suggested change a “kick in the gut”. In the UK, pubs will remain open until the early hours to accommodate fans. A tabloid suggested the English squad might use Viagra to counter altitude effects, though the drug is not banned. No further delay is expected, and the match proceeds as planned.