Outgoing British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer intervened behind the scenes to stop FIFA from moving England's World Cup Round of 16 clash against Mexico to an earlier kickoff, according to reports. According to The Sun, the Football Association consulted Downing Street amid concerns the change would hand the hosts a competitive advantage. After FIFA considered moving the match from its scheduled late-evening kickoff to midday local time, Starmer argued that England needed the extra time to acclimatize to Mexico City's high altitude before the match.
A source told The Sun that Mexican officials had been "really talking up the storm" and pushing for the earlier kickoff, but claimed Starmer "was having none of it" because it would have disrupted England's preparations. The kickoff ultimately remained unchanged, although thunderstorms delayed the match by an hour before England defeated Mexico 3-2 to advance to the quarterfinals. The reported intervention comes as President Donald Trump acknowledged lobbying FIFA on behalf of Team USA.
Following U.S. striker Folarin Balogun's controversial red card ban being revoked, Trump revealed he personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ask that the suspension be reviewed. "I got them to do it," Trump told reporters Monday, arguing Balogun's challenge "wasn't a foul" but simply "two great athletes that got tangled up." Trump has also publicly embraced England's success in the tournament, praising captain Harry Kane. "I think Kane is a great player," he said. "I played golf with him and I like him a lot, he’s a good golfer... he’s really great.”
England manager Thomas Tuchel thanked supporters after the dramatic victory over Mexico, saying fans who stayed awake through the night "sent us your energy," as the team now prepare to face Norway in the World Cup quarterfinals.
