MEXICO CITY — The World Cup match between Mexico and England on Sunday is likely to have its kick-off time changed due to the risk of weather disruption including flooding, sources told ESPN.
Kick-off is set to become 12 p.m. local time at the Azteca Stadium, which is 7 p.m. in the UK and 2 p.m ET.
FIFA took lessons from last year’s Club World Cup which was blighted by six major weather delays in 63 matches. The governing body is now in ongoing discussions to move the Mexico vs. England kick-off time amid the threat of bad weather, sources told ESPN.
England playmaker Morgan Rogers said of the potential change: “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 build-up — you just want to play the game.
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“Getting that adrenaline out there will help us and get us going and playing. We’re looking forward to it whatever the time is.
“I’m not concerned about it, but won’t be happy if it wakes me up, I’ll be honest. We’ll deal with it as best as possible. It’s another obstacle to get over.”
England team-mate Marcus Rashford also downplayed the impact of a potential kick-off change.
“I think for us it’s the same, how we prepare for the game,” the forward said. “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.”
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A kick-off alteration would only add to what England boss Tuchel knew would be “a lot, a lot, a lot of obstacles” awaiting them in Mexico.
An intimidating atmosphere awaits at the Azteca, while the visitors are braced for hostility outside the team hotel.
But altitude could be the biggest challenge, with the match taking place more than 2,000 metres above sea level.
Tuchel said: “My understanding is that we cannot adapt to the altitude.
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“That is just a huge advantage that Mexico will have. It just takes too much time.
“We have only three days in between [the round of 32] win over Congo DR and the Mexico game]. This is physically just not possible to adapt to the altitude, which is quite high.
“We knew that before, so this is just something, it’s just a disadvantage, with which we will have to deal. I think we showed the attitude that we are ready for that and from there we go.”
Press Association contributed to this report.
