Overview
- FIFA confirmed the Round‑of‑16 match at Estadio Azteca will begin at 6:00 p.m. local time (1:00 a.m. BST) after plans to bring it forward were dropped.
- On Friday, tournament organisers discussed moving the game several hours earlier because forecasts showed thunderstorms and possible flooding around match time.
- Both the English FA and the Mexican Football Federation opposed the proposed change, prompting FIFA to abandon the rescheduling idea.
- Tournament safety rules require an automatic 30‑minute delay if lightning is detected within eight miles of the stadium and FIFA will continue active weather monitoring ahead of kick‑off.
- The original timing means UK arrangements — including a temporary extension allowing pubs to stay open until 5 a.m. — remain in effect and England must still prepare for Estadio Azteca’s high altitude and a hostile home crowd.