England will take on Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca at 6 PM local time as originally scheduled. This decision comes after FIFA’s whirlwind talks with both the English and Mexican football associations on Friday, where a proposal was made to shift the match to 7 PM BST on Sunday, which translates to 12 PM local time. Weather forecasts have hinted at possible thunderstorms during that later time, although FIFA didn’t provide any clear reasoning behind their suggested change.
The Football Association (FA) had been actively involved in planning and security discussions, especially after recent tragic events where four people lost their lives. FIFA, however, made it clear that they reserve the right to cancel, reschedule, or relocate matches at their discretion, without necessarily involving the FA in every decision. Talk about potential changes to the match timing sent ripples through the camp as players from England dismissed any notion that it would affect their performance.
As winger Marcus Rashford left the pitch, he calmly noted, “It’s not ideal, but the squad will deal with it. I think for us, it’s the same how we prepare for the game. It has to be the same. We’ll be ready regardless of the time. We’re looking forward to it whatever the time is.” The mood was somewhat tense, as Mexico’s coach expressed frustration, stating, “We have to change everything. This isn’t just about Mexico… Obviously, we will comply with FIFA. I don’t like it at all, and neither do my players. They didn’t even ask for my opinion.”
The looming threat of extreme weather has been a recurring theme during this World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States. FIFA has introduced mandatory three-minute hydration breaks during all World Cup fixtures due to the high temperatures, which have continued even when conditions are more favorable. Mexico has already faced interruptions during their preparations, with their last-32 tie against Ecuador being delayed by an hour due to thunderstorms in Mexico City.
The hype surrounding Sunday’s clash has been intense, especially concerning Mexico’s storied record at Estadio Azteca. The barometric pressure in Mexico is lower, which means the air is thinner and less oxygen enters the bloodstream with each breath. This can significantly impact players, leading to increased heart rates, shortness of breath, dehydration, and quicker fatigue—even for elite athletes.
The match is now set to kick off in the early evening when temperatures are expected to hover around 20°C. Had FIFA’s proposal gone through, temperatures would have risen to about 23°C at noon. As fans prepare for the showdown, the question on everyone’s mind is, will the weather play a role in the outcome of this much-anticipated match?
Kaynak: Orijinal Haber