MEXICO CITY (AP) 鈥� The round of 16 match between Mexico and England on Sunday could be moved to an earlier kickoff due to concerns about an afternoon thunderstorm forecast in Mexico City.
FIFA is looking at the possibility of starting the game earlier than the scheduled 6:00 p.m. at the Azteca Stadium, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because no final decision has been made.
Among the concerns for FIFA is the possible disruption caused by flooding.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre spoke out against changing the kickoff time.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a kick in the gut; now we must change everything. It鈥檚 not that all the work goes down the drain鈥攖hough it鈥檚 close鈥攂ecause you鈥檙e having to scrap six hours of scheduled planning. I don鈥檛 like it at all,鈥� Aguirre told Radio Formula. 鈥淥bviously, we鈥檒l abide by what FIFA says, but neither my players nor I are happy about it.鈥�
Rescheduling the match could also affect England鈥檚 preparations. The Three Lions are scheduled to arrive late Friday and will hold their Saturday training session at the UNAM Pumas grounds in the south of the capital, leaving them with significantly less time to acclimatize to the Mexican capital鈥檚 high elevation before kick-off.
The sits at more than 7,300 feet (2,200 meters) above sea level. For elite athletes to perform at their peak at high altitude, a period of adaption is required to reduce fatigue caused by lower atmospheric pressure and reduced oxygen availability, experts say. Sports scientists generally recommend an extended acclimation period of at least two weeks, or the 鈥渇ly-in, fly-out鈥� method of arriving as close to game time as possible before acute symptoms set in.
The game will be Mexico City’s fifth and final match of the World Cup.
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