Starmer intervened in row over Mexico-England kick-off time

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper intervened in a dispute over the kick-off time for England's World Cup match against Mexico, after FIFA proposed moving it six hours earlier due to a forecast of thunderstorms. Starmer instructed officials to argue for the original time slot, backed by the Football Association, while Cooper asked the British Ambassador to Mexico to have diplomats make representations against the change to protect the travel plans of 3,000 England fans. Both the English and Mexican football associations objected to the last-minute change, with the Mexican manager calling it a "kick in the gut." After over five hours of uncertainty, FIFA decided to keep the original time, though kick-off was eventually delayed by an hour due to the weather. The proposed change was prompted by fears of lightning and flooding at the Azteca Stadium.