Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre has condemned FIFA's decision to move the World Cup match against England to an earlier kick-off time, citing a lack of consultation and disruption to his team's preparations. The fixture, originally scheduled for 6pm local time on Sunday at Azteca Stadium, has been rescheduled to 12pm local time due to forecasts of heavy thunderstorms and rain. FIFA has yet to officially announce the change.
Aguirre's Reaction
Aguirre expressed his frustration, stating, 'This change feels like a kick in the stomach. Now we have to rethink everything.' He emphasized that the alteration undermines months of planning, adding, 'It's not like all the work we've done goes out the window, but it comes pretty close because we're losing six hours that were part of our entire matchday plan.'
The coach, whose team has not conceded a goal in the tournament, stressed that playing at noon offers no advantage. 'There's absolutely no advantage to playing at noon. None whatsoever. It really throws a wrench into everything,' he told Radio Formula.
Impact on Player Fitness
Aguirre highlighted the specific impact on player recovery, noting that two key players are not fully fit. 'Recovery is the issue. I have two players who are not fully fit, and those extra six hours would have helped. It seems insignificant, but it's not,' he said. 'The medical staff has been working to have them ready for 6pm, not 12pm, so now I may have to take them out of the starting line-up.'
Compliance Despite Displeasure
Despite his anger, Aguirre acknowledged that Mexico must comply with FIFA's decision. 'FIFA is in charge, so we'll just have to deal with it. If anyone asked me, I'd say keep the 6pm kick-off. It's a significant change. I can understand there may be reasons behind it but nobody consulted me, and yes, I'm pretty upset. At the end of the day, though, our job is to go out there and win,' he added.
The match remains highly anticipated, with England and Mexico both performing strongly in the tournament. The kick-off time change has added an extra layer of controversy to an already intense fixture.
