World Cup chaos: FIFA weighs kick-off changes as England, Mexico ties clash risk looms

FIFA is reportedly considering last-minute changes to the World Cup 2026 knockout schedule, with England’s round of 16 tie against Mexico among the fixtures potentially affected by extreme weather. Organisers are also weighing a possible delay to Brazil’s last-16 clash with Norway, raising fears that the two matches could overlap if either goes to extra time.

According to Goal Brasil reporter Raisa Simplicio, Brazil’s tie with Norway at MetLife Stadium could be pushed back by around an hour because of concerns over the heat. A spokesperson for the Brazilian Football Federation told The Athletic that “a change is possible, and we are waiting on FIFA.”

Brazil’s fixture is currently scheduled for 4pm local time, which is 9pm BST. Meanwhile, England’s meeting with Mexico in Mexico City is reportedly being brought forward by as much as six hours from its original slot.

Clash fears if extra time is needed

A four-hour gap between the two matches had originally been planned to avoid any overlap. But if England’s game against Mexico is moved earlier while Brazil’s tie with Norway stays put, the two fixtures could run simultaneously should the England vs Mexico match require extra time.

FIFA typically schedules knockout matches to avoid clashes, with the final being the only exception where two games kick off at the same time. However, tournament regulations confirm FIFA “has the right to cancel, reschedule or relocate one or more matches (or the entire FIFA World Cup 26) for any reason at its sole discretion, including as a result of force majeure or due to health, safety or security concerns.”

Not the first disruption of the tournament

Weather has already caused disruption at several points in this World Cup. Mexico’s previous match against Ecuador in the round of 32 was delayed by an hour while officials waited for storms to pass, and France’s group stage encounter with Iraq was pushed back two hours due to thunderstorms in Philadelphia.

France now face Paraguay in the round of 16 at the same Philadelphia venue, with temperatures forecast to reach 38 degrees Celsius. Despite the heat, there is currently no indication of any change to that fixture’s 10pm BST kick-off time.

Weather warnings are also in place across New Jersey and New York this weekend because of the intense heat, though temperatures are expected to ease slightly by Sunday. Clear protocols exist for thunderstorms, with lightning strikes within eight miles of a stadium triggering an automatic 30-minute delay, but guidance on extreme heat remains less defined and could be tested further as the tournament progresses through the North American summer.

Read more: World Cup 2026: Full UK TV guide to every knockout fixture on BBC and ITV