Pubs, schools and police brace for England-Mexico 1am kick-off

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[PA Media]

England's early morning World Cup match against Mexico will kick off as originally planned at 01:00BST (18:00 local time) on Monday, after Fifa U-turned on a plan to bring it forward by six hours due to thunderstorms.

Sources told BBC Sport the fixture at Mexico City Stadium had been expected to be moved to 19:00 BST on Sunday - but after further talks football's governing body decided against it.

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The last-16 knockout match will not finish until 03:00 at the earliest and schools, business and the emergency services are preparing accordingly.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Thursday pubs will be able to stay open until 05:00 which could spell a difficult Monday morning for many.

The now rejected earlier kick off was said to be due to thunderstorms in Mexico which tend to peak around, or just after, the highest temperatures of the day during the late afternoon and early evening.

The Football Association had also been involved in planning and security discussions after four people died following Mexico's last-32 victory over Ecuador in Mexico City on Tuesday.

An earlier kick-off time time would have allowed the match to take place before the worst of any thunderstorms - and ruined the plans of many England fans arriving in Mexico City for the game.

News of the proposed changes angered officials, Mexico manager Javier Aguirre described it as "a kick in the stomach".

England fans already in Mexico City are soaking up the atmosphere with rival supporters [PA Media]

England fans travelling to Mexico City for the match may be relieved they don't have to move their plans around.

More than 3,000 England fans are set to attend the fixture at the Azteca, which holds 87,000.

Travel plans are often finalised months in advance, and changing them at short notice can be costly to supporters.

Owen Pickering, who is travelling to Mexico with his sons, aged seven, 16 and 23, told BBC's Radio 4 Today programme on Saturday it was "lucky it all changed".

If the kick-off had moved to a 12:00 local time kick-off he said they "wouldn't have made the match."

He explained his journey includes a flight to Orlando, Florida today and then from Tampa to Mexico on Sunday, landing around 11:00 - which would have meant he and the eight others he is travelling with would have missed the game.

Pickering arranged for his children to miss school, costing £160 each, and he "took a gamble" on England winning the group stage and spent £1,300 on the flights.

"The whole thing has been very expensive," he added.

On how Fifa handled the U-turn on the kick-off time, he said: "It's rubbish. There's no thought about anybody travelling to the game... they don't care if they spoil it for everybody".

But what does the late kick-off time mean for England fans in the UK?

Staying up late Sunday night

England fans will be able to watch the full match in pubs staying open later [PA Media]

It's rare for pubs in the UK to be allowed to stay open into the early hours of Monday morning and football fans are expected to make the most of it.

Sir Keir called the move "good news for supporters and good news for the pubs and venues that bring our communities together".

While Kate Nicholls, Chair of UKHospitality, said it was a "very welcome announcement".

But many pubs, who have had to apply for extended licensing hours to sell alcohol, are now planning for the change in their opening times.

Pub chain Greene King has said more than 600 pubs across England will be staying open late to show the match

Though, not all pubs are planning to keep their taps flowing.

Wetherspoons has said only five of its more than 800 pubs will remain open for the match, but other large chains - including Greene King - will be making the most of the change in their last call at the bar.

President of the UK Bartender's Guild (UKBG) Claudia Carrozi told the BBC hospitality staff working until 05:00 on Monday should be given plenty of notice, proper breaks and consideration must be taken on how they get home.

"Planning is key," she said.

While pubs have only had since Thursday to prepare - and last night's mixed messaging over start time no doubt confused matters - Corrozi said pubs may have already had a "contingency plan" in place.

She said it's important customers need to remember people working in pubs during the match are "going the extra mile" and they need to be treated with respect.

"Without the staff, this celebration couldn't happen."

With more people staying out late on Sunday night, the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) told the BBC the "late announcement" meant officers would have to be taken away from other duties and work longer hours.

It requested that fans "drink within sensible limits" and be "considerate" while watching the match.

Making changes Monday morning

Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel wants children to be able to watch the game [Getty Images]

The impact of the late-night opening hours will trickle into Monday morning as the working week gets under way.

Some schools told the BBC on Friday they are planning to open their gates late on Monday morning.

Primary and secondary schools in areas including London, Salford, the Midlands and County Durham have told the BBC they are moving openings to around 10:00.

England squad manager Thomas Tuchel had called on schools to let children watch the match and afford flexibility for those wanting to stay up late.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson says she is "not going to seek to control what schools are doing" but that it is "important" for pupils to be in school on Monday.

And, some workplaces are also taking a more relaxed approach to the start of the week.

A TUC spokesperson said: "Chopping and changing of kick off time for a crucial England match could be difficult for workers and employers alike.

"We are still appealing to employers to use their common sense and show understanding - if a worker has arranged their plans around coming in later they should still be able to do so.

"But there may be staff who now want to revert to their regular hours, and that should be allowed to if possible too."

And, The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said businesses where this will be challenging include manufacturing production lines, frontline retail and hospitality.

Director of policy for the BBC Kate Shoesmith said for some jobs, such as those with shift work, it will not be possible to work flexibly.

"But we're confident most employers will be thinking about how they can keep everyone onside," she added.

Travelling to work or doing the school run on Monday morning is also raising concern.

Motoring organisation the RAC warned people who stay up for the match "shouldn't drive until they're fully rested and hydrated".

Transport for London (TfL) - who operate the London Underground, buses and London Overground in the capital - told the BBC services will be operating as usual on Sunday and into Monday morning.

This means there will be no night Tube.

TfL advise customers to check their journey before they travel and to familiarise themselves with how to travel safely at night.

[BBC]

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