England face a World Cup washout with 80 per cent chance of thunderstorms during Mexico clash
The last 16 tie in Mexico City has been thrown into uncertainty after reports emerged that the kick-off time could be moved forward six hours.
England's World Cup kick-off time against Mexico will remain unchanged despite more than an 80 per cent chance of thunderstorms passing over during the game.
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The Three Lions' second knockout game of the tournament was scheduled to take place at 6pm local time on Sunday, July 5 (1am GMT on Monday), but the kick-off time was thrown into jeopardy amid suggestions thunderstorms could disrupt play.
Late on Friday evening, FIFA was reported to be in discussion about moving the clash at the iconic Estadio Azteca, causing fans to shift plans in a bid to catch the match.
However, after hours of uncertainty, FIFA reportedly made the decision to keep kick-off time as 6pm local time.
The perceived flip-flopping sparked fury among fans, with many concerned about missing the match or potential delays to play.
It comes as England received a wave of boos as they arrived in Mexico overnight, with the team's location leaking ahead of their arrival - a detail the England camp were hoping to keep under wraps.
Read more: All the pubs that will stay open late for England vs Mexico - Is your local on the list?
Due to the nature of the weather system, moving forward the kick-off time would have meant an increased chance of heavy rain during the game.
Temperatures during the game are currently expected to reach a high of 24 degrees on Sunday evening.
It comes after England’s warm-up game against Costa Rica in Orlando last month was plagued by delays after storms and persistent rain.
FIFA failed to comment on suggestions a time change may take place, nor did they reaffirm the original kick-off time.
The lack of clarity has reportedly infuriated officials from both the FA and Mexican federation - as well as fellow participants Brazil and Norway, whose matchup will take place at 9pm BST on Sunday.
It comes after Mexico's match against Ecuador earlier this week was delayed due to rain.
Other matches have also been affected by severe weather across the United States and Mexico, with a thunderstorm causing a two-hour delay during France’s 3-0 win over Iraq in Philadelphia
England too experienced weather delays ahead of the tournament during their clash against Costa Rica.
It comes after Sir Keir Starmer announced pubs can stay open until 5am on Monday morning so fans can watch the game.
MPs had called for leeway beyond the 2am extended pub opening hours already in place for England matches during the football World Cup.
The blanket extension means individual pubs do not need to apply for extended hours.As well as hundreds of Greene King and Marston’s pubs, a spokesperson for Fuller’s said that as of Friday morning 23 pubs were planning to stay open.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council has slammed timing of the Government’s decision.
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.