World Cup viewers have taken to social media in fury after it was confirmed that England’s upcoming match against Mexico will kick off earlier than 1am, with one footie fan branding the time-jump an “absolute disgrace.” The game between England and Mexico at Azteca Stadium was initially scheduled to take place at 6pm local time on Sunday and 1am BST on Monday (June 6). According to Latin America broadcaster Claro Sports, this change is due to forecasts of heavy thunderstorms and rain in the area, and the match has been moved to 12:00pm Central Time and 7pm BST on Sunday (June 5).
Taking to X/Twitter, one fan fumed: “It’s now being reported in Mexico that the game will kick off six hours earlier at midday Mexico time, it is expected to be 33 °C at this time. If this is true, it’s an absolute disgrace.” Another claimed: “Mexico is doing everything to try and make it more difficult for England, but it doesn’t matter. Doing this nonsense will just make it more embarrassing when England comes out with an easy victory.”
“This is basically fixing it for Mexico – not only the altitude, but now they change it from evening to midday sun- they are trying to make it as hard as possible for England, it’s brazen cheating,” added a third.
Meanwhile, another questioned: “Never mind the fans. How does this affect the players? Will it be hotter or cooler at the new time ???”
England are currently at their training base in Kansas City and are due to travel to Mexico City later on Friday.
The kick-off adjustment comes after repeated concerns from England’s players and staff about playing Mexico at altitude, as the Azteca Stadium is around 7,200ft above sea level.
“It just takes too much time. We have only three days in between these matches. It’s physically just not possible to adapt to the altitude. That is just a huge advantage that Mexico will have. More obstacles may come, but we are ready for that.
“This is just something with which we will have to deal. And I think we showed the attitude that we are ready for that,” he added to the press.
The weather has been an issue throughout the World Cup, as Mexico’s round of 32 match against Ecuador earlier this week was delayed by rain, while France’s group game against Iraq in Philadelphia was interrupted for two hours due to thunderstorms.
England’s forward Marcus Rashford was previously asked about the proposed change of kick-off time, and said: “I think for us it’s the same, how we prepare for the game.
“It has to remain the same, we have to be focused, we have to be ready for anything, and I think it’s one strength of the group and everyone, including the players and staff, that we are ready for whatever challenges are thrown at us.
“Obviously, it’s not ideal, but also it doesn’t really matter.”
