Pubs, schools and police brace for England-Mexico 1am kick-off

Pubs, schools and police brace for England-Mexico 1am kick-offImage source, PA MediaByMatt SpiveyPublished4 July 2026, 10:46 BSTUpdated Just nowEngland's early morning World Cup match against Mexico will kick off as originally planned at 01:00BST (18:00 local time) on Monday, after Fifa U-turned on a plan to bring it forward by six hours due to thunderstorms.Sources told BBC Sport the fixture at Mexico City Stadium had been expected to be moved to 19:00 BST on Sunday - but after further talks football's governing body decided against it.The last-16 knockout match will not finish until 03:00 at the earliest and schools, business and the emergency services are preparing accordingly.Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Thursday pubs will be able to stay open until 05:00 which could spell a difficult Monday morning for many.Five and a half hours that left England's World Cup tie in chaosAttributionSportPublished8 hours agoTuchel wants young England fans to stay up for 1am World Cup clash - but should they?Published1 day agoBBC offers 'Stay Up or Catch Up' for England v MexicoAttributionSportPublished23 hours agoThe now rejected earlier kick off was said to be due to thunderstorms in Mexico which tend to peak around, or just after, the highest temperatures of the day during the late afternoon and early evening.The Football Association had also been involved in planning and security discussions after four people died following Mexico's last-32 victory over Ecuador in Mexico City on Tuesday.An earlier kick-off time time would have allowed the match to take place before the worst of any thunderstorms - and ruined the plans of many England fans arriving in Mexico City for the game.News of the proposed changes angered officials, Mexico manager Javier Aguirre described it as "a kick in the stomach".Image source, PA MediaImage caption, England fans already in Mexico City are soaking up the atmosphere with rival supportersEngland fans trav...