Fifa is in discussions over moving the kick-off time of Mexico v England to earlier in day on Sunday due to risk of weather disruption including flooding and thunderstorms, a source has confirmed to the Guardian.
The round of 16 game at the Estadio Azteca was scheduled to start at 6pm local time (1am BST) but it could now be brought forward by six hours to midday local time (7pm BST).
The Football Association is scrambling for clarity on the situation, the news of which broke just as Thomas Tuchel and his players finished their training session in Kansas City at around 1pm [Central US time]. The governing body had no heads-up about the plan and learned of it through the media.
The FA is stunned that the move is under consideration so close to game day, partly for the potential impact on travelling England fans, some of whom have made plans to land in Mexico City on Sunday morning.
England are scheduled to fly from Kansas City to Mexico City on Friday afternoon so they can satisfy a Fifa request to train at a “venue-specific site” on the day before the game – in other words on Saturday.
When asked about the possibility of the game being moved Morgan Rogers said: “We’ll be ready regardless of the time. The earlier the better because you want to play. There is enough thinking about what is going to happen and the build-up – you just want to play the game. Getting that adrenaline out there will help us and get us going and playing. We’re looking forward to it whatever the time is. We’ll deal with it as best as possible. It’s another obstacle to get over.”
Marcus Rashford added: “I think for us it’s the same, how we prepare for the game, it has to be the same, we have to be focused, we have to be ready for anything. I think it’s one of the strengths of the group, everyone included, the players, the staff, we’re ready for whatever challenges get thrown at us. Obviously it’s not ideal but also it doesn’t matter.”
Mexico’s round of 32 match against Ecuador earlier this week was delayed due to rain while France’s group game against Iraq in Philadelphia was interrupted for two hours because of thunderstorms.
