The blockbuster showdown remains scheduled for Sunday, July 5, at Estadio Azteca after Mexico defeated Ecuador in the Round of 32, while England advanced by overcoming DR Congo. However, widespread reports have suggested FIFA is considering moving the match from its original 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff to an earlier 2:00 p.m. ET start because of the risk of electrical storms later in the evening.

At this stage, the change has not been officially confirmed by FIFA. Nevertheless, Aguirre made it clear that he is unhappy with the possibility during an exclusive interview with Radio Formula.

Mexico vs England: Javier Aguirre reacts to the possible kickoff time change

Javier Aguirre did not hide his disappointment when asked about the reports. He emphasized that changing the kickoff time (6 p.m. local time) would affect every aspect of the team’s preparation, from meals and recovery sessions to sleep schedules and pre-match routines.

“They informed me here, and I don’t agree with it. Nobody asked for my opinion, but it is what it is. FIFA is in charge, and all we can do is accept it. They never consulted me. I want the match at 6 p.m. It’s my home, it’s my preferred kickoff time, and it’s the way I like things. We have to adjust our meals, our naps, our sleep schedule, our recovery sessions—everything. It may sound like a small thing, but it isn’t. It’s actually very important. I can understand the reasons and the arguments, but nobody asked me.”

Aguirre expanded on the impact such a decision would have on the national team’s preparations, insisting it is far more significant than many people realize. Despite his criticism, Aguirre stressed that Mexico will respect whatever decision FIFA ultimately makes and that the team’s objective remains unchanged: winning and advancing to the next round.

“I’m pissed off. This is like a punch to the stomach. You have to change everything. The entire plan has to change. I don’t agree with it. FIFA makes the decisions, and I’ll respect them. There’s nothing more to say. No excuses. We have to play and we have to win. I don’t see any advantage. None.”

Will FIFA change kickoff time for Mexico vs England?

No. Although early reports indicated FIFA was evaluating a possible schedule adjustment because forecasts suggest a high probability of electrical storms during the originally planned evening kickoff, both teams expressed they were against the decision and FIFA reportedly won’t change the kickoff time.

According to those initial reports, moving the match to the afternoon would have reduced the risk of weather-related delays while improving safety for players, coaches, match officials, media members, and supporters.

For now, however, FIFA has not officially announced any change, meaning Mexico and England remain scheduled to play on Sunday, July 5, with fans awaiting final confirmation of the kickoff time. Everything points to the match kicking off at 6:00 p.m. local time, as originally scheduled.

In the opening knockout round, Mexico looked outstanding in a convincing 2-0 win over Ecuador, while England had to overcome a major scare, rallying from behind to defeat DR Congo 2-1 thanks to another decisive performance from Harry Kane.

With a place in the quarterfinals on the line, the matchup carries enormous historical significance. Surprisingly, despite both nations’ long World Cup traditions, they have met only once before in the tournament.

England vs Mexico World Cup head-to-head record

England and Mexico have faced each other just one time in FIFA World Cup history. That meeting came during the group stage of the 1966 World Cup, when England defeated Mexico 2-0 through goals from Bobby Charlton and Roger Hunt.

The result proved to be part of a historic campaign for the Three Lions, who went on to win the tournament. To this day, 1966 remains the only World Cup title in England’s history.

Can Mexico change history?

Mexico now have the opportunity to earn their first-ever World Cup victory over England. Playing in front of a home crowd at the Estadio Azteca, El Tri will look to secure a place in the quarterfinals. A victory would instantly become one of the most memorable results in Mexican soccer history.

Mexico’s difficult Round of 16 history

Mexico have struggled in the Round of 16 for much of the modern World Cup era. They were eliminated by Bulgaria in 1994, Germany in 1998, the United States in 2002, Argentina in both 2006 and 2010, the Netherlands in 2014, and Brazil in 2018.

That long list of heartbreaking exits has made the Round of 16 one of the most frustrating stages in Mexican soccer history. Sunday’s showdown with England gives them another chance to finally break that trend.

O Rei, considered by many to be one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, scored 12 goals for Brazil. With his two goals today against the Leopards, Kane reached 13, and that tally could continue to grow.

England will now face Mexico in the Round of 16, with the match set to be played at the legendary Estadio Azteca on July 5. There, the Three Lions‘ path to the final could begin to take shape.

Following the conclusion of this match, the scoring chart at the 2026 World Cup is led by Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, both with six goals. Right behind them are Harry Kane and Erling Haaland with five, while Ousmane Dembele and Vinícius Jr. have each found the net four times.

Harry Kane’s goals at the World Cup

Harry Kane is playing in his third World Cup for England and, so far, has reached the remarkable total of 13 goals. These are each of the goals the center forward has managed to score:

Pele’s goals

The legendary Pele remains one of the most efficient goalscorers in World Cup history, netting 12 goals across four tournaments (1958, 1962, 1966, and 1970) and winning three titles. His World Cup account opened in 1958 with a historic six-goal explosion in Sweden, featuring a winner against Wales, a hat-trick against France in the semifinals, and a brilliant brace against the hosts in the final to lift his first trophy at just 17 years old.

He added one more goal in 1962 against Mexico before an injury sidelined him, and scored another solitary goal in 1966 against Bulgaria during a rough tournament for Brazil. Pele then capped off his majestic international career at Mexico 1970 with four final goals—striking against Czechoslovakia, Romania (2), and opening the scoring with an iconic header against Italy in the final.

Along the way, DR Congo showed resilience against some of the world’s strongest sides. The team opened with a valuable draw against Portugal, suffered a narrow defeat to Colombia, and then produced a decisive victory over Uzbekistan to clinch a historic ticket to the Round of 32. That achievement alone represented one of the country’s finest moments on the World Cup stage.

The dream nearly continued against England. DR Congo took the lead and came within touching distance of one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history before the Three Lions produced a dramatic comeback to turn the match around. It was a heartbreaking ending, but one that does little to diminish what the team accomplished throughout the tournament.

Are DR Congo out of the 2026 World Cup?

Yes. England completed a great comeback to defeat DR Congo 2-1, eliminating the African nation from the 2026 World Cup. After taking an early lead, the Leopards were unable to hold off England’s late surge, ending their historic campaign in the Round of 32.

A tournament to remember for DR Congo

Despite the elimination, this World Cup will be remembered as a landmark achievement for DR Congo. They not only reached the knockout stage for the first time but also proved they could compete with some of the biggest nations in international soccer. Their performances throughout the group stage made them one of the tournament’s breakout teams. For many supporters, this campaign has laid the foundation for an even brighter future.

Who will England play next in 2026 World Cup?

England advance to the Round of 16, where the Three Lions will face Mexico next Sunday. After surviving a major scare against DR Congo, England remain alive in their pursuit of a first World Cup title since 1966, while the Leopards return home with one of the most memorable campaigns in their football history.

Mexico advanced with an impressive 2-0 victory over Ecuador at the Azteca Stadium. Julián Quiñones opened the scoring in the 21st minute after a powerful solo run, while Raúl Jiménez doubled the lead nine minutes later to seal a dominant performance for Javier Aguirre’s side in front of its home supporters.

England also booked their place in the next round after defeating the Democratic Republic of the Congo 2-1. After conceding an early goal to Brian Cipenga, the Three Lions rallied behind captain Harry Kane, who scored twice—including the winner in the 86th minute—to complete the comeback. The 2026 World Cup bracket was updated with England’s path to a potential final.

Why is the venue significant?

Mexico City Stadium has proven to be one of the toughest places for visiting teams during the 2026 World Cup. Mexico have thrived in front of their passionate fans, turning the iconic stadium into a major factor in its success.

England will now face the challenge of playing one of the tournament favorites on their home field, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated Round of 16 matches of the competition.

The difficulty of this stage is not only due to the strong form of their opponents, but also because it will be played in hostile territory. The match will take place at Estadio Azteca next Sunday, July 5.

A passionate and vocal crowd, the challenges of playing at altitude, and hot, humid conditions all await England. Can the Three Lions continue their World Cup run and overcome another major test?

England’s potential path to the final

England had to work much harder than expected, but they managed to overcome DR Congo in the Round of 32 with Harry Kane scoring a brace. Even tougher challenges now await, provided they can get past Mexico in the Round of 16.

Brazil or Norway would await England in the quarterfinals. Should they advance to the semifinals, they could face Argentina or Cape Verde, Australia or Egypt, Colombia or Ghana, or Switzerland or Algeria.

In a dream scenario, potential opponents in the final could include Paraguay, France, Canada, Morocco, Portugal, Croatia, Spain, Austria, the United States, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium, or Senegal.

England’s only World Cup title

England’s sole World Cup glory came in 1966, when they hosted the tournament and defeated West Germany 4–2 in an iconic and dramatic final at Wembley Stadium. The match is immortalized by Geoff Hurst, who scored a historic hat-trick—including the famous, highly debated “ghost goal” that struck the crossbar and bounced near the goal line.

Captained by the flawless Bobby Moore and inspired by the brilliance of Bobby Charlton, the Three Lions lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy on home soil, marking the absolute pinnacle of English soccer history.

Spence came off the bench against Croatia and Panama, and started England’s group-stage match against Ghana. He has now been selected again for the opening knockout game.

One detail that has caught the attention of fans, however, is the protective mask he continues to wear during matches. There’s a very important reason to explain that situation.

Why is Djed Spence wearing a mask?

Djed Spence wears the mask after suffering a fractured jaw in May. The injury occurred when the Tottenham defender received a heavy elbow from Chelsea striker Liam Delap during a match, forcing him to begin wearing facial protection while recovering. Although he was able to return to action, doctors recommended that he continue using the mask to reduce the risk of further damage.

What kind of mask is Djed Spence wearing?

The mask is a custom-molded protective face mask designed specifically for Spence. In addition to protecting him from direct contact, it has helped stabilize the fractured jaw over the past several weeks as the bone continues to heal. It allows the England defender to compete without significantly affecting his vision or movement.

Will Djed Spence continue wearing the mask?

For now, yes. Until doctors determine that the fracture has fully healed, Djed Spence is expected to continue wearing the protective mask during matches. Despite the unusual appearance, it has not prevented him from becoming one of Thomas Tuchel’s most trusted defensive options during England’s run at the 2026 World Cup.

The Arsenal forward started in the previous match against Panama, but this time his place will be taken by Arsenal teammate Noni Madueke. As a result, these are the eleven players set to take the field for the Three Lions to begin the match:

Jordan Pickford; Ezri Konsa, Nico OReilly, Marc Guehi, Djed Spence (who’s playing with a protective mask); Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham; Harry Kane (C), Marcus Rashford, Noni Madueke.

DR Congo, meanwhile, have opted for a more balanced setup with the presence of their Premier League players: Lionel Mpasi; Aaron Wan Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba (C), Arthur Masuaku; Ngalayel Mukau, Nathanael Mbuku, Samuel Moutoussamy, Noah Sadiki; Brian Cipenga, Yoane Wissa.

Bukayo Saka’s influence on England

Since making his senior debut in 2020, Bukayo Saka has established himself as an essential component of the England national team. The Arsenal winger has earned 52 caps and scored 14 goals for the Three Lions, helping his country reach the finals of Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.

He remains a key figure in England‘s attacking unit during their ongoing campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he already recorded a vital assist in the group stage victory over Panama.

England aim to reach the Round of 16

England’s future will depend on whether they win, tie, or lose against the Leopards in Atlanta. If they advance, they will face Mexico in the Round of 16 next weekend.

That match, set to be played at the iconic Estadio Azteca, is scheduled for July 5. It will determine one of the teams advancing to the highly anticipated quarterfinals.

England, led by Harry Kane, confirmed their status as the dominant force in Group L of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, claiming seven points from an unbeaten group stage run. The Three Lions advanced after defeating Croatia, drawing with Ghana, and closing the group stage with a victory over Panama.

DR Congo, meanwhile, reached the knockout stage as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams after drawing with Portugal, narrowly losing to Colombia, and beating Uzbekistan. With a place in the Round of 16 on the line, FIFA has confirmed the uniform combinations both teams will wear for today’s elimination match in Atlanta. The winner of England vs DR Congo today will move on to the next stage of the tournament.

What uniform is England wearing today?

England will wear a predominantly white jersey with red accents, paired with white shorts featuring red trim and white socks with navy blue details. The Three Lions goalkeeper will be dressed in a dark green kit, including a matching jersey, shorts, and socks. In addition, Djed Spence continues to play with a protective mask.

What uniform is DR Congo wearing today?

DR Congo, which has several Premier League players, will take the field wearing a blue jersey, blue shorts, and blue socks for this Round of 32 clash. The Leopards’ goalkeeper will be dressed in a port red kit, consisting of a matching jersey, shorts, and socks. DR Congo’s squad also includes players born overseas, as the team aims to shock world soccer on the biggest stage.

Match officials, led by referee Adham Makhadmeh, will wear yellow uniforms, while ball attendants will be dressed in dark gray. England’s substitutes will use olive green training bibs on the sidelines. DR Congo’s substitutes and staff will wear magenta bibs during the match as the team looks to extend their run in the tournament.

DR Congo have four Premier League players on their squad, meaning there is some familiarity between the sides. However, their 41st-place ranking puts them at a disadvantage in this standing.

Are these numbers decisive in how the match will unfold? Perhaps not. In fact, the Leopards have proven to be a tough and resilient opponent, with DR Congo boasting some foreign talent. Harry Kane and his teammates will need to elevate their performance to secure victory and book their place in the next round.

How many points do England and DR Congo have in the rankings?

England are currently in the top five of the FIFA rankings, sitting in fourth place with 1,840.46 points, following their 2-0 win over Panama in the group stage. DR Congo, meanwhile, climbed five places after advancing from the group stage and now sit on 1,495.48 points, moving ahead of teams such as Scotland and Cameroon.

England seek a place in the Round of 16

The 1966 World Cup remains the only time England have been crowned champions of the tournament, doing so on home soil. Now, in 2026, hopes are rising once again after they topped their group stage.

Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh has been appointed to officiate the match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which is expected to be at full capacity. The Three Lions, should they secure victory, will face Mexico next Sunday, July 5.

Few expected the African nation to survive the group stage, but an impressive recovery in their final match secured a place in the knockout rounds. Now, DR Congo faces its toughest challenge yet against England with a spot in the Round of 16 on the line. The presence of Premier League talent on DR Congo’s roster could help pull off an upset, though.

The team’s remarkable run has also translated into a significant rise in the FIFA World Rankings, highlighting just how much they have accomplished during the tournament.

What is DR Congo’s current FIFA ranking?

DR Congo are currently ranked No. 41 in the FIFA World Ranking with 1,495.48 points. Throughout the 2026 World Cup, the Leopards have climbed five places in the live rankings, making one of the biggest jumps of any nation in the competition.

How has the World Cup affected DR Congo’s FIFA ranking?

DR Congo earned 12.76 FIFA ranking points after opening the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Portugal. The team then lost 14.81 points following their narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia before producing their biggest boost of the tournament by defeating Uzbekistan 3-1, a result that added 23.10 points to their FIFA total.

Can DR Congo continue climbing?

Yes. The challenge becomes much tougher in the Round of 32, where DR Congo will face one of the tournament favorites and highest-ranked FIFA teams in England. A victory over the Three Lions would not only send the African nation into the Round of 16 but would also provide another significant boost in the FIFA rankings while strengthening one of the most remarkable Cinderella stories of the 2026 World Cup.