2026 World Cup: England-Mexico round of 16 threatened by weather, likely schedule change
By OnzeActu · · 2 min read
The round of 16 between England and Mexico at the 2026 World Cup could see its kick-off brought forward due to significant weather risks in Mexico. Initially scheduled for 1 a.m. (French time), the match should be moved to 7 p.m. to ensure the smooth running of the match and the safety of players and spectators.
The highly anticipated round of 16 between England and Mexico at the 2026 World Cup could see a major schedule change. Initially scheduled for 1:00 a.m. (French time) this Monday – i.e. 6:00 p.m. local time in Mexico City – the match should be brought forward to 7:00 p.m. (French time), i.e. 12:00 p.m. in Mexico City.
The reason for this likely adjustment is simple: the Mexican capital faces a high risk of storms at the originally forecast time. The tournament organizers want at all costs to avoid a chaotic scenario, already experienced a few days ago during the round of 16 between Mexico and Ecuador, which was delayed by rain.
The FIFA regulations are clear: if lightning is detected within 13 kilometers of the stadium, the match must be interrupted for 30 minutes. This provision is not just a formality in the texts, it has already been applied during the group phase, notably during France-Iraq.
FIFA also has the discretion to reschedule or move a match “at its sole discretion”. If the meteorological threat is confirmed, the international body will not hesitate to bring forward the kick-off.
For English supporters, this change would be very welcome: a meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. (French time) is more accessible, avoiding a match to follow in the middle of the night. Moreover, measures had already been considered in the United Kingdom to adapt the opening of pubs, or even the start time of classes in schools!
This schedule slip, however, poses a headache to the calendar: the Brazil-Norway match, scheduled for 9 p.m. (French time), could risk overlapping in the event of extra time between England and Mexico. The most considered option would therefore be to postpone Brazil-Norway to 10 p.m., in order to guarantee an optimal sequence of knockout matches.
For the moment, FIFA has not yet formalized this modification, but all indications point to a rapid announcement. After several weather-related disruptions during this World Cup, it seems obvious that the organization wants to anticipate further delays and ensure the smooth running of the key events.