Sources: FIFA discussing Mexico vs. England kickoff time change - ESPN

MEXICO CITY — FIFA is in ongoing discussions about potentially bringing forward the kickoff time for Mexico and England's World Cup round-of-16 clash Sunday because of the risk of weather disruption including flooding, sources told ESPN.

World soccer's governing body is considering switching the kickoff time at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium to noon local time (2 p.m. ET and 7.p.m. in the U.K.), sources said. That's six hours earlier than originally planned.

FIFA took lessons from last year's Club World Cup, which was blighted by six major weather delays in 63 matches. And it is keen to avoid a repeat of Mexico's clash with Ecuador at the same venue in the round of 32, when the kickoff time was delayed by an hour because of thunderstorms.

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Article 6.9 of FIFA's World Cup regulations states: «FIFA has the right to cancel, reschedule or relocate one or more matches (or the entire FIFA World Cup 2026) for any reason at its sole discretion, including as a result of force majeure or due to health, safety or security concerns.»

Mexico coach Javier Aguirre spoke out against changing the kickoff time.

«It's a kick in the gut; now we must change everything. It's not that all the work goes down the drain — though it's close — because you're having to scrap six hours of scheduled planning. I don't like it at all,» Aguirre told Radio Formula.

«Obviously, we'll abide by what FIFA says, but neither my players nor I are happy about it.»

Rescheduling the match could also affect England's