Mexico v England LIVE: Fifa backtrack on World Cup last-16 kick-off change amid storm threat

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England’s preparations for their massive World Cup meeting with Mexico have been shaken up by uncertainty surrounding the kick-off time after Fifa backtracked on moving the match forward by six hours.

The country was bracing for an early morning 1am BST kick-off, with pubs in the United Kingdom allowed to stay open until the early hours - but in a late twist, kick-off looked set to be changed to 7pm BST on Sunday afternoon due to a storm threat in Mexico City. However, it’s now understood that Fifa have gone back on these plans with both England and Mexico’s federations irate.

England are in the last 16 after Harry Kane’s double saved Thomas Tuchel’s side – and perhaps the manager’s job – against DR Congo after falling behind early in Atlanta, but a far tougher test is to come.

The Mexico clash will provide a unique challenge with altitude and an anticipated hostile reception providing added factors for the England squad as they prepare for the Estadio Azteca – scene of Diego Maradona’s contrasting double in 1986. Declan Rice has been declared fully fit in a significant injury boost, while England are also plotting to avoid the impact of a boisterous set of Mexico supporters at their hotel.

Follow all the build-up to Sunday’s exciting tie with co-hosts Mexico:

Harry Kane demands England enjoy Mexico test

“I want to enjoy this one, because I know there’s another extremely tough game coming in four days,” Harry Kane said.

“Mexico, in Mexico, is as big as it gets maybe in the World Cup.

“The atmosphere is going to be incredible. It’s going to be tough for many different reasons but ultimately, if you want to be world champions, you have to go through tough games, good teams, Mexico at home.

“We have to be ready but for now I just want to enjoy this moment, I want to recover, relax, and then obviously the focus will turn pretty quickly onto that one on Sunday.

“They’ve obviously won every game so far in the tournament, but they’re playing at home.

Mike Jones4 July 2026 13:52

Thomas Tuchel offers encouraging Declan Rice injury update for England’s Mexico clash

Declan Rice does not have any injury, Thomas Tuchel said, as he expects his influential midfielder to be in shape for England’s World Cup last-16 match against Mexico at the Azteca on Sunday.

The 27-year-old had to go off at the end of England’s late 2-1 win over Democratic Republic of Congo, having been managing nerve pain in his back over the course of the tournament.

Thomas Tuchel offers encouraging Declan Rice injury update for England’s Mexico clash

Rice is managing nerve pain in his back and was forced off towards the end of the win over DR Congo

Miguel Delaney4 July 2026 13:39

Anthony Gordon on Harry Kane inspiration

“You know what? As soon as he hit (the second goal), I knew it was going in,” Anthony Gordon said. “I was already celebrating.

“It’s more the consistency that he surprised me with. Anyone can score a good goal, anyone at this level can put the ball in the top corner.

“This is the consistency that he does it. Every day in training. Every game. He is phenomenal. He plays at such a high, high level.

“It’s amazing to be around him every day, because when you’re around someone at the elite level – he’s at the very, very top of football, he’s having a season that’s only ever been beaten by Lionel Messi, the greatest footballer of all time. So that speaks to the level he’s playing at.

“When you’re around someone like that, you want to pick up as many habits and watch everything he does to see why he’s at that level.

“It’s no accident, like I said, there’s consistency every day, how hard he works, every finishing drill.

“He does it with passion, he does it with seriousness. He never ever messes about. So it’s amazing to be around him. He’s definitely an inspiration to all of us.”

Mike Jones4 July 2026 13:27

Alan Shearer sends England warning over Harry Kane

Former England captain and centre forward Alan Shearer told the BBC: "It wasn't a good performance and I've got the same concerns as I had in the previous two or three games about us defensively.”

Kane has once again shown why he remains among the world's elite forwards, capable of deciding matches by himself.

"There's not many centre forwards in the world can produce that piece of magic," Shearer said. "The way he turns and swivels - and the balance is incredible. Then to get the direction and the power into the roof of the net - that was some strike."

But knockout football has a way of exposing over-reliance on any one player. Opponents become stronger, margins become finer and, eventually, even the most reliable match-winners can be contained.

Mike Jones4 July 2026 13:12

Keir Starmer confirms late opening times at pubs for Mexico v England

Pubs across England and Wales will be able to stay open until 5am for the England v Mexico World Cup match that kicks off at 1am on Monday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced.

MPs had called for leeway beyond the 2am extended pub opening hours already in place for England matches during the tournament.

England will face Mexico in the last after beating the Democratic Republic of the Congo 2-1 on Wednesday but the next game in Mexico City begins at 1am BST and will not finish until after the previous extended hours provision.

The Prime Minister said: “Football might be coming home but we’re making sure fans don’t have to.

“Pubs staying open till the final whistle is good news for supporters and good news for the pubs and venues that bring our communities together.

“The whole country will be backing the team. Come on England!”

Mike Jones4 July 2026 12:58

Mexico v England tickets reach eye-watering £27,000 for World Cup last-16 tie

Tickets for England’s last-16 clash against co-hosts Mexico at World Cup 2026 are selling for eye-watering prices up to $36,000 [£27,300].

The clash is rivalling the most expensive World Cup knockout fixtures ever after England battled to a 2-1 victory over DR Congo thanks to Harry Kane’s rescue act to set up a mouthwatering tie at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, at 1am BST on Monday.

Outgoing prime minister Keir Starmer is set to relax UK licensing laws to allow all pubs to stay open until the small hours on Monday morning should they wish but fans hoping to attend the fixture in Mexico face ludicrously high ticket prices on Fifa’s resale website.

Mexico v England tickets reach eye-watering £27,000 for World Cup last-16 tie

England fans face huge prices to try and secure a spot at the World Cup last-16 clash at the iconic Estadio Azteca

Mike Jones4 July 2026 12:41

Education Secretary insists children should go to school after England game

The Education Secretary says schoolchildren could watch England’s early-morning World Cup match against Mexico on Monday and still make it to class after head coach Thomas Tuchel said pupils should be allowed “an excuse for school”.

Victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday set up a meeting with the co-hosts in Mexico City that will kick off at 1am BST, likely impacting the size of the television audience able to watch.

In the past it has been common for schools and employers to allow England games in the latter stages of major tournaments to be shown when they clash with working hours, but Monday’s kick-off in the small hours poses a unique obstacle.

However, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson does not believe watching the match necessarily means children need to miss school.

“It’s a late game, but children can be in school the next day,” she told the Press Association.

Asked if she believed children can both watch the game and still make it into school, she said: “Well, I think they can, yes, but it’s for parents to decide how they manage this, and of course, it depends on the age of your children, how they feel. But this is about decisions for individual families.”

Mike Jones4 July 2026 12:24

England fans set sights on Mexico City

Are you heading for Mexico City?

British Airways saw a 2,000 per cent spike in searches on Thursday for flights from London to the Mexican capital – comparing levels at 5pm, with those at the final whistle of England’s win of DR Congo.

The most significant numbers occurred during the final hour of the match, with a 530% increase between 6pm and 7pm, as England fans' confidence soared when Harry Kane scored his two match-winning goals.

Mike Jones4 July 2026 12:11

England's win over DR Congo records huge viewing figures

England's dramatic World Cup victory over DR Congo delivered the BBC's biggest live audience of 2026, with a peak audience of 16.3 million watching Harry Kane's late winner on BBC One and BBC iPlayer to send England into the Round of 16.

The match also averaged 14 million viewers and was the most-watched moment on the BBC this year.

Mike Jones4 July 2026 11:55

Mexico boss furious at Fifa over proposed World Cup kick-off change vs England

Mexico manager Javier Aguirre is “quite angry” at the proposed kick-off time change for his side’s World Cup 2026 last 16 tie with England on Sunday.

Fifa and the Mexican and English football associations are in talks over the scheduled kick-off time, with the consideration of adverse weather and the prospect of flooding in Mexico City.

It is the latest wildcard factor to a game which will be influenced by the impact of altitude on both sets of players, while reports suggested that the time could change from 6pm local time (1am BST on Monday) to 12pm local time (7pm BST).

Mexico boss furious at proposed World Cup kick-off change vs England

Javier Aguirre has reacted angrily to reports of a kick-off time change, while also refuting any advantage for the co-hosts over Thomas Tuchel’s side

Mike Jones4 July 2026 11:35

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