Mexico manager Javier Aguirre is “quite angry” at the proposed kick-off time change for his side’s World Cup 2026 last 16 tie with England on Sunday.
Fifa and the Mexican and English football associations are in talks over the scheduled kick-off time, with the consideration of adverse weather and the prospect of flooding in Mexico City.
It is the latest wildcard factor to a game which will be influenced by the impact of altitude on both sets of players, while reports suggested that the time could change from 6pm local time (1am BST on Monday) to 12pm local time (7pm BST).
Speculation has left uncertainty surrounding the tie, with Aguirre hitting out at Fifa and rejected the suggestion of an advantage at the late change for the co-hosts.
“That’s right, it’s like a kick in the gut, it changes everything, the plan,” Aguirre told Mexican journalist Joaquin López Doriga on Radio Formula. “It’s not that it’s completely ruined, but almost, because you have to swallow six hours of scheduled training.
“Obviously, we will abide by what Fifa says. I don’t like it at all, nor do my players. Of course, the food, the nap, the sleep, the physiotherapy, everything, everything, it seems trivial, but it isn’t.
“Today, 60 people are working here so that these 26 friends can go out on Sunday and win the game, I mean, it’s not a small thing, the truth is that the change is quite important and I’ll tell you this, well, I can understand reasons and arguments, but they didn’t consult me and yes, I’m quite angry.”
“Not at all, zero, name, no advantage whatsoever,” Aguirre added when it was suggested that Mexico could benefit from the late schedule change.
“In the contrary, I tell you this is all designed so, since that day in Ecuador we talked, we knew the schedule, we knew the venue, we didn’t know the opponent, that’s true, but in the end, yes, they screw me over a little, yes, well yes, we have no choice but to abide by what Fifa says.”
