World Cup: England v Mexico could move to earlier kick-off time after storm warning

The time of England’s World Cup game against Mexico could be moved forward.

The BBC has reported that Fifa is looking at moving the game - which at the moment is scheduled to kick off at 1am Monday our time - to start at 7pm Sunday instead.

It will be played at the Azteca stadium in Mexico City. Forecasts have suggested there could be heavy rain at the time of the game, but Fifa has not yet commented.

Under tournament safety rules, any lightning strikes detected within eight miles of the stadium result in an automatic 30-minute delay to play.

France's group-stage fixture against Iraq was delayed for over two hours because of safety concerns amid adverse weather conditions in Philadelphia.

Fifa regulations for World Cup 2026 state it has the right to "cancel, reschedule or relocate" matches "at its sole discretion".

While many pubs in England have said they were going to open for the match, the National Police Chiefs Council criticised the government’s decision on Thursday to allow any pub to stay open late. Before that announcement every venue that wanted to stay open later had to apply to their local council. In Portsmouth about 30 venues applied and received temporary licences.

In a joint statement, Chief Constable Mark Roberts, NPCC lead for football policing, and Acting Chief Constable Scott Green, NPCC lead for alcohol licensing and harm reduction, said the “late announcement” meant forces having to adapt plans and take officers away from communities.

They also asked England fans to be considerate to others and drink “sensibly” during the game.

Greene King said more than 600 pubs across England will be staying open late to show the match and Marston’s said more than 400 will be open late.