Englandâs World Cup knockout match against Mexico will kick-off at the planned time, despite storm forecasts prompting discussions over bringing the game forward.
ITV News understands Fifa had been involved in ongoing discussions over moving the kick-off time of Mexico v England to earlier in the day on Sunday due to the risk of weather disruption, including flooding.
But no official decision was made.
Reports on Friday suggested the game, which was originally scheduled to kick off at 1am UK time on Monday at Azteca in Mexico City, could be brought forward to 7pm UK time on Sunday.
Local forecasts suggest there could be thunderstorms and heavy rain around the time the game is originally scheduled to take place.
Under safety rules, games face an automatic 30-minute delay if lightning strikes within eight miles of the stadium, with the clock resetting each time there is a new strike.
Fifaâs World Cup regulations say the governing body has âthe right to cancel, reschedule or relocate one or more matchesâŠfor any reason at its sole discretion, including as a result of force majeure or due to health, safety or security concernsâ.
Mexico's match against âEcuador earlier this week was delayed due to rain.
Speaking to the media about the potential change at England's training session on Friday, winger Marcus Rashford downplayed the impact of the move.
âI think for us itâs the same, how we prepare for the game,â Rashford said. âIt has to be the same, we have to be focused, we have to be ready for anything.
âI think itâs one strength of the group, everyone included, the players, the staff, weâre ready for whatever challenges get thrown at us. Obviously itâs not ideal, but also it doesnât matter.â
Former England right-back and coach Gary Neville spoke of his shock at the prospect of the fixture time moving.
âFor our players itâs worse, itâs a sporting disadvantage to England,â he said on ITV. âThereâs a sporting integrity issue here as well because Iâve never seen a League Two game moved, Iâve never seen a Sunday League game moved.
âFifa are just willy nilly making it up and moving a game. It just feels a little bit sort of strange.
âUltimately you can put fan safety at the heart of it. This is a stadium that has these sorts of conditions before where they would have a procedure in place to deal with thatâ
A kick-off alteration would only add to what England boss Tuchel knew would be âa lot, a lot, a lot of obstaclesâ awaiting them in Mexico.
An intimidating atmosphere awaits at the Azteca, while the visitors are braced for hostility outside the team hotel.
But altitude could be the biggest challenge, with the match taking place more than 2,000 metres above sea level.
ITV News understands Fifa had been involved in ongoing discussions over moving the kick-off time of Mexico v England to earlier in the day on Sunday due to the risk of weather disruption, including flooding.
But no official decision was made.
Reports on Friday suggested the game, which was originally scheduled to kick off at 1am UK time on Monday at Azteca in Mexico City, could be brought forward to 7pm UK time on Sunday.
Local forecasts suggest there could be thunderstorms and heavy rain around the time the game is originally scheduled to take place.
Under safety rules, games face an automatic 30-minute delay if lightning strikes within eight miles of the stadium, with the clock resetting each time there is a new strike.
Fifaâs World Cup regulations say the governing body has âthe right to cancel, reschedule or relocate one or more matchesâŠfor any reason at its sole discretion, including as a result of force majeure or due to health, safety or security concernsâ.
Mexico's match against âEcuador earlier this week was delayed due to rain.
Speaking to the media about the potential change at England's training session on Friday, winger Marcus Rashford downplayed the impact of the move.
âI think for us itâs the same, how we prepare for the game,â Rashford said. âIt has to be the same, we have to be focused, we have to be ready for anything.
âI think itâs one strength of the group, everyone included, the players, the staff, weâre ready for whatever challenges get thrown at us. Obviously itâs not ideal, but also it doesnât matter.â
Former England right-back and coach Gary Neville spoke of his shock at the prospect of the fixture time moving.
âFor our players itâs worse, itâs a sporting disadvantage to England,â he said on ITV. âThereâs a sporting integrity issue here as well because Iâve never seen a League Two game moved, Iâve never seen a Sunday League game moved.
âFifa are just willy nilly making it up and moving a game. It just feels a little bit sort of strange.
âUltimately you can put fan safety at the heart of it. This is a stadium that has these sorts of conditions before where they would have a procedure in place to deal with thatâ
A kick-off alteration would only add to what England boss Tuchel knew would be âa lot, a lot, a lot of obstaclesâ awaiting them in Mexico.
An intimidating atmosphere awaits at the Azteca, while the visitors are braced for hostility outside the team hotel.
But altitude could be the biggest challenge, with the match taking place more than 2,000 metres above sea level.
