Mexico v England: Pub-goers undeterred by delay as 5am closing time edges closer
· Yahoo Sports
England’s World Cup crunch game against Mexico has been moved back by an hour due to extreme weather. With many staying up late in the UK fearing that it could be pushed back further.
The match was due to kick-off at 6pm local time (1am UK), but with the threat of lightning in Mexico City, the stadium activated its thunderstorm protocol less than an hour before then and the game will now start at 7pm (2am UK).
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A FIFA statement read: “Due to adverse weather conditions in Mexico City, including risk caused by lightning in the vicinity of the stadium, the kick-off of the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 match between Mexico and England has been delayed to 19.00 local time (21:00 EDT).
“The safety and security of all individuals is FIFA’s priority. We thank all fans for their understanding and cooperation.”
Fifa is adhering to rules set by local authorities during the tournament, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) saying that if any lightning strike is detected within eight miles of a stadium the game has to be stopped.
If the matched is pushed back further, pubs risk having to chuck punters out mid-game with extended hours only going up to 5am on Monday.
Pubs in England and Wales are allowed to stay open until 5am on Monday, Keir Starmer announced last week. Licensing hours had already been extended for the World Cup from 11pm to 1am for games with kick-offs from 5pm up to 9pm and up until 2am for kick-offs between 9pm and 10pm
Monday's match was originally expected to finish at roughly 3am.
Ally Wolf, general manager at the Clapham Grand told The Independent: "We're going to put all of our trust in the Mexican weather. Failing that we're going to put all of our trust in Keir Starmer that he's so desperate to end on such a high that he personally is going to make a few phone calls and authorise all of us to continue to stay open until our wonderful football team bring it home."
Mexico fans wear rain ponchos inside the stadium before the match after kick off has been delayed due to the weather REUTERS/Daniel Becerril (Reuters)Fans watching the match in the shadow of Wembley Stadium said they will wait as long as it takes to see kick-off, after the Three Lion’s clash against Mexico was pushed back to 2am.
Kieran, 23, a finance assistant from Essex, said he will stay put at Wembley Boxpark, in north-west London, even if the match is delayed further.
“I think it’s annoying for England fans here but it’s probably beneficial for the England team,” he said.
“I will stay the whole time even if it’s delayed,” he added
Killey Harvey, a charity worker from west London, also said he will wait, despite having work at 10am on Monday.
The 49-year-old told PA: “I think that it is bad. It should have been earlier. The police are not happy with it because it causes extra trouble.
“I will stay because I want to seen them play. I’m here to enjoy the match,” he added.
Asked if he is worried he will be too tired to work, Mr Harvey said: “I do not care, this is my choice.”
Remote workers pulling an all-nighter at a London fan zone to see England joked they will just be moving their mouse at work on Monday.
Watching England’s last-16 game against Mexico at BOXPark Wembley in north-west London, Kieran, a finance assistant from Essex, said he is unaffected by the game’s delay to 2am, as he will be working from home.
“I’m working from home and I live nearby,” the 23-year-old said, joking: “I will just be moving my mouse!”
Gemma, 26, a marketing professional from Finchley, north London, said she will stay for the match as she is also working from home on Monday.
But when she found out the kick-off had been delayed by an hour she said: “I might go home.”