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Mexican authorities have announced that 17,000 police officers will be deployed on the streets of Mexico City on Sunday for Mexico’s blockbuster World Cup 2026 clash against England.
Arguably the biggest game in the history of Mexican football, the co-hosts are aiming to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup for just the third time. The game is set to kick-off at 6pm local time (1pm BST) as originally planned.
Yet after four people tragically died in a crush during post-game celebrations on Tuesday after Mexico’s round of 32 win against Ecuador, organisers are keen to avoid any similar incident on Sunday evening. Around 1.5 million people lined the streets on Tuesday; that figure could top 2 million on Sunday if Mexico are victorious.
Mexican police guard England’s team hotel in Mexico City (PA)
The Ecuador match was manned by around 15,000 officers, but that number will increase by 2,000 on Sunday. Around 6,000 officers are expected on Paseo de la Reforma, Mexico City’s iconic 12km avenue through the centre of the city.
In addition, after Ecuador players were disturbed by noise at their team hotel last week, a total of 100 riot police are guarding England’s team hotel over the next 24 hours to avoid similar disturbances.
While extreme weather and thunderstorms were a consideration in moving the kick-off time forward by six hours, it is understood that concerns from local authorities surrounding celebrations after an evening kick-off, compared to a midday kick-off, was also a factor in talks.
However, as it stands, Fifa have confirmed the match at the Azteca Stadium will take place at 6pm as originally planned, despite an estimated 80% chance of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon.
Under tournament safety rules, any lightning strikes detected within eight miles of the stadium result in an automatic 30-minute delay to play, something that affected France’s group-stage clash with Iraq.
Fifa regulations for the tournament state it has the right to “cancel, reschedule or relocate” matches “at its sole discretion”.
Mexico boss Javier Aguirre was furious at the proposed change and lashed out at Fifa for their lack of consultation in an interview.
Fans gathered to watch the Round of 32 match between Mexico and Ecuador at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as post-match celebrations following Mexico’s victory left four people dead (Reuters)
Aguirre spoke to Spanish-Mexican journalist Joaquin Lopez Doriga on Radio Formula, saying: “It’s like a kick in the gut, it changes everything, the plan. It’s not that it’s completely ruined, but almost, because you have to swallow six hours of scheduled training.
“Obviously, we will abide by what Fifa says. I don’t like it at all, nor do my players. Of course, the food, the nap, the sleep, the physiotherapy, everything, everything, it seems trivial, but it isn’t. I can understand reasons and arguments but they didn’t consult me and yes, I’m quite angry.
“This is all designed so, since that day in Ecuador we talked, we knew the schedule, we knew the venue, we didn’t know the opponent, that’s true, but in the end, yes, they screw me over a little. We have no choice but to abide by what Fifa says.”
An earlier start would have suited fans at home in England, with 7pm being much more palatable than a 1am kick-off.
Outgoing prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has relaxed licensing laws to allow pubs in the UK to stay open until 5am. There is also an ongoing debate over whether children should be allowed to start school later on Monday morning in order to watch the match.
