World Cup Match Schedules Remain Despite Weather Concerns

The World Cup match featuring Mexico and England will stick to its original schedule. The game is set for Sunday at 6 p.m. local time (8 p.m. EDT) at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Concerns about a possible afternoon thunderstorm had prompted FIFA to consider an earlier start. However, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed the unchanged schedule to The Associated Press under anonymity, as they were not authorized to speak publicly.

A representative from the Mexican federation also confirmed the decision, again under anonymity. Concerns revolved around potential disruption from flooding, prompting discussions about altering the start time.

Mexico’s coach, Javier Aguirre, criticized the potential schedule change. On Friday, he expressed his dissatisfaction to Radio Formula. Aguirre noted the inconvenience of changing six hours of planned activities, emphasizing the frustration felt by him and his team.

“It’s a kick in the gut. Now we must change everything. It’s not that all the work goes down the drain — though it’s close — because you’re having to scrap six hours of scheduled planning. I don’t like it at all,” Aguirre stated. “Obviously, we’ll abide by what FIFA says, but neither my players nor I are happy about it.”

The proposed reschedule could have impacted England’s preparations as well. England was set to arrive late Friday and planned a Saturday training session at UNAM Pumas grounds in Mexico City. This would leave them with limited time to adjust to the high elevation. Azteca Stadium is over 7,300 feet (2,200 meters) above sea level, necessitating a period of acclimatization for athletes to adjust to lower oxygen levels.

Sports scientists recommend either a prolonged adaptation period or a last-minute arrival to minimize the impact of altitude changes. England coach Thomas Tuchel commented on the challenge, stating that adapting to Mexico City’s altitude isn’t feasible. Tuchel acknowledged Mexico’s advantage, highlighting that altitudinal adjustment requires substantial time, which his team does not have.

This match marks the fifth and final game in Mexico City for this year’s World Cup.