NEW YORK, USA: FIFA has decided to keep the scheduled kick-off times for Sunday’s World Cup Round of 16 matches intact, resisting calls to reschedule amid concerns that severe weather could disrupt the high-stakes fixtures, according to international media reports on Saturday.
Mexico’s highly anticipated clash with England at the Azteca Stadium will begin as planned at 6 p.m. local time (0000 GMT), while Brazil’s meeting with Norway in New York is also expected to kick off on schedule at 4 p.m. local time (2000 GMT). The decision brings relief to millions of fans worldwide who had braced for last-minute changes to the blockbuster programme.
England’s World Cup round-of-16 game against Mexico will kick off at its planned time, despite discussions over bringing it forward.
Sources briefed on the process told The Athletic that FIFA had pointed to concerns over possible weather disruption, including flooding, sparking… pic.twitter.com/877E5flBF2
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) July 3, 2026
Weather fears fail to reschedule showdowns
Tournament organisers had explored the possibility of altering the timetable after weather forecasts indicated the potential for adverse conditions, particularly around the Mexico versus England fixture.
France-Paraguay : le match maintenu malgré la canicule et les critiques sur le protocole de la FIFA https://t.co/USNoeva9g8 #News
— The Right News, Right Now. (@BradPorcellato) July 4, 2026
Earlier reports in Mexican media suggested the match could be brought forward to 12 noon local time (1800 GMT) to reduce the risk of disruption.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) had indicated that Brazil’s encounter with Norway might be pushed back by an hour if changes were made to the Mexico fixture in order to avoid scheduling conflicts.
However, FIFA has opted to retain the original timetable, allowing both matches to proceed as planned unless conditions deteriorate significantly closer to kick-off.
Weather already a tournament disruptor
Weather has already affected the tournament on several occasions. Mexico’s Round of 32 victory over Ecuador earlier this week was delayed because of heavy rain before eventually getting under way, serving as a stark reminder of how unpredictable conditions can disrupt football’s biggest stage.
With knockout football now entering a decisive stage, organisers will continue to monitor weather conditions closely while prioritising the safety of players, officials and supporters. Fans heading to both venues have been advised to prepare for potential changes should conditions take a turn for the worse.
