FIFA experienced significant backlash after attempting to reschedule England's World Cup match against Mexico, a move that caused widespread confusion and logistical nightmares for fans and teams before being reversed. The proposed shift would have moved the match six hours earlier, from 1 a.m. to 6 p.m. UK time on Sunday, ostensibly to avoid forecasted thunderstorms.
However, the plan triggered immediate uproar from fans who had made travel arrangements and had hotel bookings based on the original schedule. Many supporters would have missed the game entirely if the kick-off had been moved forward. Travel costs for those attempting to adjust their plans became prohibitive.
"FIFA is rubbish, it's awful. They have no thought about anyone travelling to the game," said Owen Pickering, 61, who was traveling with his family and had planned to arrive in Mexico on match day to save on accommodation. "Does it matter to them if we turn up? Not really. They don't care if it spoils it for everybody."
The Football Association (FA) was also reportedly left stunned by the initial announcement, which surfaced through Mexican media on Friday night. The FA was not informed until around 8 p.m. UK time, a move considered unprecedented for a World Cup fixture. This uncertainty disrupted the England squad's meticulous preparations, including meal times and acclimatization activities for the high altitude.
Mexico's head coach, Javier Aguirre, called the proposed switch "a kick in the stomach," emphasizing that playing at noon local time offered "absolutely no advantage" and would disrupt team strategies.
Speculation arose that the time change might have been intended to favor European television viewership, with some reports suggesting the BBC's involvement. The BBC denied these claims, stating they were not part of any such discussions.
After hours of what was described as "farce" and "behind-the-scenes rows" between FIFA and both national football associations, the governing body executed a "spectacular U-turn," reverting the match to its original 1 a.m. UK time start. A Mexican journalist who initially reported the confirmed switch later apologized for his error, though he maintained that his sources, including international media, had confirmed the information at the time.
Despite the resolved scheduling controversy, thunderstorms remain a significant concern for the match at the Azteca Stadium. Official tournament weather reports indicate a 90% risk of lightning storms around the scheduled kick-off time. FIFA's safety protocols dictate an automatic 30-minute delay for every lightning strike detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium, with the timer resetting after each subsequent strike. This could lead to further disruptions and extended viewing times for fans in the UK, potentially impacting work attendance on Monday morning.
Mexico City has already seen multiple matches suspended due to severe weather, including during its own victory over Ecuador and France's win against Iraq.