The World Cup Round of 16 is already shaping up to be a logistical headache. England and Mexico are scheduled to meet at Azteca Stadium on Sunday with an 8:00 pm ET kickoff. But that time might not hold.
Reports indicate the match could be pushed up significantly to avoid overlapping with the Brazil vs. Norway game set for 4:00 pm ET. The concern is real. If both matches run simultaneously, broadcast logistics get messy. And if Brazil-Norway goes to extra time? Then England-Mexico could end up starting on FS1 instead of the main channel.
According to an ESPN report cited by Omar Flores, the new kickoff time being floated is 12:00 pm local time in Mexico City. That translates to 2:00 pm ET and 7:00 pm in the UK. It’s not ideal for either set of fans. But the players seem to be taking it in stride.
English Stars Weigh In on the Potential Schedule Shift
Morgan Rogers and Marcus Rashford both spoke about the possibility of an earlier start. Rogers kept it simple, telling reporters through ESPN, “It’s just another obstacle to overcome. We’ll be ready regardless of the time. Earlier the better because you want to play. There is enough thinking about what is going to happen and the buildup — you just want to play the game.”
Rashford went a little deeper on the mentality side. “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 strength 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.”
That kind of shrug-and-play attitude is pretty standard for big tournament teams. The English have been through enough schedule weirdness in past World Cups to treat this as just another variable. The Mexican side hasn’t commented publicly on the potential change yet, but playing at home in Azteca at noon in July heat would be an obvious advantage for El Tri.
What Happens Next
Nothing is official yet. FIFA and the local organizing committee are still working through the timing. The Brazil-Norway match is the anchor here. If that game stays on schedule and doesn’t run long, England-Mexico could stay put. But the sense from multiple reports is that a move to the earlier slot is more likely than not.
Stay tuned. This one could break any hour now.
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