World Cup 2026: Javier Aguirre reveals anger as change to England vs Mexico kick-off time 'confirmed'

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3 July 2026

FIFA remain in talks to move kick-off time amid threat of severe weather

Mexico

manager

Javier Aguirre

has appeared to confirm that the kick-off time of the game against

England

has changed — and says the late scheduling change has made him “angry”.

The round of 16 match between

and

was due to kick off at 6pm local time on Sunday at Estadio Azteca in

City,

which was 1am BST on Monday morning

But the threat of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall means it looks set to begin at 12 noon local time and 7pm BST in the UK.

Aguirre, speaking to Spanish-Mexican journalist Joaquin Lopez Doriga on Radio Formula, said: “That’s right, it’s like a kick in the gut, it changes everything, the plan. It’s not that it’s completely ruined, but almost, because you have to swallow six hours of scheduled training.

“Obviously, we will abide by what

FIFA

says. I don’t like it at all, nor do my players. Of course, the food, the nap, the sleep, the physiotherapy, everything, everything, it seems trivial, but it isn't.”

The

manager added: “Today, 60 people are working here so that these 26 friends can go out on Sunday and win the game, I mean, it's not a small thing, the truth is that the change is quite important and I'll tell you this, well, I can understand reasons and arguments, but they didn't consult me and yes, I'm quite angry."

When he was asked whether the change gives hosts

an advantage at the Azteca, Aguirre replied: “Not at all, zero, name, no advantage whatsoever.

"In the contrary, I tell you this is all designed so, since that day in Ecuador we talked, we knew the schedule, we knew the venue, we didn't know the opponent, that's true, but in the end, yes, they screw me over a little, yes, well yes, we have no choice but to abide by what

says."

⌚ U-turn: FIFA cancels kick-off time change for Mexico v England

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FIFA in talks to move England vs Mexico kick-off time amid threat of severe weather

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