England fans may have been handed a huge boost to their Monday morning after their early trip to the pub for the Mexico game is now expected to happen a few hours earlier than expected
England fans have reportedly been handed a huge boost as the dreaded 1:00am kick-off on Monday (July 6) is now looking to be off the cards after the Mexico game has allegedly been moved forward.
The game is now expected to take place at 7pm on Sunday night (July 5), according to multiple publications in Mexico, and it was not a decision made to help out Three Lions fans at home.
Storm warnings had been issued around game time at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and could have seen the game face kick-off delays. The BBC understands that FIFA is set to bring the game forward due to thunderstorms and heavy rain.
FIFA regulations for World Cup 2026 say it is their right to “cancel, reschedule or relocate” matches “at its sole discretion”.
Pubs and other establishments had been gearing up to get ready for opening late and into the early house, but it now looks like we may get a more UK friendly time for fans.
The Government has granted pubs special permission to open late for England’s World Cup match against Mexico, although it may now not be needed should FIFA confirm the reports coming out of Mexico.
Sir Keir Starmer announced on Thursday that pubs across England and Wales will be able to stay open until 5am for the round of 16 match.
And it was not just pubs facing tough decisions over the game but schools too as young fans may be eager to stay up for the clash.
Schools around the country were allowing pupils to start late on Monday so that children can watch the early-hours England World Cup match.
It comes after the team’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, appeared to indicate football should take priority when the Three Lions play Mexico.
Tuchel told reporters: “Write an excuse for school and let them watch football.
“Come on. There’s so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch.
“There will be a big, big match on in four days and we need the support of everyone, and especially of the children.”
With the storm looking like it may not be a problem for England anymore, Mexico now have to worry about a Hurri-Kane with the Three Lions striker in fantastic form.
His stunning 86th-minute strike against DR Congo took him to 72 goals for club and country in the 2025/26 campaign, a total which is second only to Lionel Messi’s 82-goal season in 2011/12.
He said: “This season for me, 72 goals so far and hopefully a few more to go, is I think almost 20 more than I’ve ever reached in my career to date and I’ve had some pretty good seasons up until now.
“I’ve had some good moments but in terms of how I feel right now, I think just from an overall package, I feel as good as I’ve ever felt going onto the pitch.”