Mexico vs. England World Cup game time locked in after FIFA proposal backlash

The Mexico-England World Cup match in Mexico City on Sunday, July 5 will maintain its original start time after multiple reports indicated FIFA was working to move it earlier noon local time at the Estadio Azteca, with thunderstorms and rain forecast for the evening.

The match will keep its 8 p.m. ET (6 p.m. local) time, putting it at a 1 a.m. kick in England, after officials from both teams expressed frustration about the planned switch.

Mexico manager Javier Aguirre called it a "kick in the stomach" in an interview with Radio Formula. "Everything changes. Now you're changing the whole plan, all the work. You're cutting out six hours you've got scheduled."

England's trip to the Azteca is one of the most highly-anticipated World Cup matches in recent history, with the Three Lions facing a daunting task against the co-hosts at extreme altitude in Mexico City.

The dramatic change in game time could also have had knock-on effects for Sunday's other round of 16 match with Brazil and Norway set to play in New Jersey, which was set for 4 p.m. ET. A spokesperson for the Brazilian soccer federation told Reuters that the five-time champions' game could be delayed by an hour if FIFA adjusts the other game.

FIFA did not immediately comment on the report when contacted by USA TODAY Sports.

Mexico's round of 32 game against Ecuador at the Azteca was delayed by an hour due to lightning strikes in the area, but the match went on without any further weather interruptions. Earlier in the tournament, the France-Iraq match in Philadelphia had a two-hour delay during halftime due to lightning.

Under FIFA rules, lightning strikes detected within eight miles of the stadium result in an automatic 30-minute delay to play.

What did England think of the time change?

"It's not ideal but also it doesn't really matter," England's Marcus Rashford told reporters in Kansas City on July 3.

"I think for us it's the same how we prepare for the game," Rashford said. "It has to be the same. We have to be focused. We have to be ready for anything. I think it's one of our strengths as a group."

The England-Mexico winner will face Brazil or Norway in the World Cup quarterfinals on July 11 in Miami.

"It's just another obstacle to overcome. We'll be ready regardless of the time," midfielder Morgan Rogers said. "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.

"Getting that adrenaline out there will help us and get us going and playing. We're looking forward to it whatever the time is."