Mexico vs. England World Cup game set for time change, per reports
· Yahoo Sports
The Mexico-England World Cup match in Mexico City on Sunday, July 5 could be moved up six hours by FIFA and start at noon local time at the Estadio Azteca, according to multiple reports, with thunderstorms and heavy forecast for the evening.
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The match was originally scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (6 p.m. local), which would have kicked off at 1 a.m. in England.
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.
"It's not ideal but also it doesn't really matter," England's Marcus Rashford told reporters on July 3 about the potential time change.
"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."
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.
"It's just another obstacle to overcome. We'll be ready regardless of the time," midfielder Morgan Rogers told reporters."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.
The England-Mexico winner will face Brazil or Norway in the World Cup quarterfinals on July 11 in Miami.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Mexico vs. England World Cup game set for time change, per reports