Key facts
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer intervened diplomatically to prevent FIFA from moving England's World Cup match against Mexico to an earlier time.
- Concerns were raised that an earlier kick-off would disadvantage England's acclimatization to Mexico City's altitude and inconvenience traveling fans.
- The intervention aimed to maintain the original 1am UK time kick-off.
- The match was ultimately delayed by an hour due to weather, not moved earlier as FIFA had considered.
- England won the match 3-2.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer intervened through diplomatic channels to oppose FIFA's proposal to bring forward the kick-off time for England's World Cup match against Mexico. The change was considered due to a forecast of thunderstorms, but concerns were raised that it would disadvantage England's acclimatization to Mexico City's altitude and cause traveling fans to miss the game. Starmer instructed officials to argue against the earlier start. The match, originally set for 1am UK time, was ultimately delayed by an hour due to weather conditions, not moved earlier as FIFA had considered. England won the match 3-2, securing a place in the quarter-finals. This intervention follows recent government action to allow pubs to stay open later for the match.