England fans have been told to brace for a bumpy night, with reports from the ground in Mexico City suggesting the last-16 tie against Mexico may not get away on schedule.

Thomas Tuchel‘s side face the co-hosts in their World Cup Round of 16 clash at 6pm local time on Sunday, meaning UK supporters are looking at a 1am kick-off.

FIFA had spent several hours in talks about shifting the game forward to 7pm UK time before scrapping the idea, but forecasters and reporters on site say the original slot still carries real risk.

Presenter Warns of Severe Storms

Thomas Tuchel via Reuters/Jim Rassol​​​​​​​

TalkSPORT’s Olivia Buzaglo, reporting from Mexico City on Saturday, described torrential rain and repeated lightning strikes hitting the city less than 24 hours before kick-off, saying conditions made it seem “absolutely no way the game kicks off at 6pm tomorrow.”

Journalist Paul Brown posted similar footage of the downpour, noting the sheer intensity of the thunder overhead.

Mexico’s last-32 win over Ecuador was already delayed by an hour due to a storm, and Buzaglo believes England’s game could face a similar delay.

BBC Weather Backs Up the Concerns

REUTERS/Carlos Perez Gallardo via Action Images

BBC lead weather presenter Ben Rich explained that daily storms are typical for Mexico City this time of year, but Sunday’s setup looks more volatile than usual.

He pointed to an unstable atmosphere driven by pressure troughs moving over central Mexico, which he said “will allow the air to rise rapidly – forming the big cumulonimbus clouds that produce thunderstorms.”

Rich added that storm activity typically peaks in the late afternoon and evening, which lines up almost exactly with the scheduled kick-off, and that hail can’t be ruled out either.

A midday start, he noted, would have carried a smaller — though not zero — risk of disruption.

Why the Kick-Off Change Was Scrapped

REUTERS/Henry Romero

FIFA’s original motivation wasn’t just the weather — the governing body was reportedly acting on fan-safety concerns after four people died following crowd issues at Mexico’s last World Cup match in the same city.

But the FA and Mexican federation pushed back over the impact on travel, logistics and player preparation, and the plan was dropped.

Mexico boss Javier Aguirre had been unhappy at the prospect of losing preparation time, saying simply: “Fifa organises, Fifa decides, and I comply.”

England topped Group L unbeaten before needing a late Harry Kane brace to see off DR Congo in the last 32. Mexico, meanwhile, have not conceded a goal all tournament, beating Ecuador 2-0 to set up Sunday’s clash.

Whatever happens with the weather, kick-off remains locked in for 6pm local time — for now.

Manchester United are yet to get going in the summer transfer window and will need to accelerate their business if they’re to build Michael Carrick’s dream starting eleven for next season.

The Red Devils enjoyed an impressive latter half of the 2025/26 campaign, finishing third and qualifying for the Champions League under Carrick’s stewardship. However, they played just 40 matches across all competitions, and now need to deepen their squad if they’re to remain competitive with the additional games they’re set to play next term.

Ederson is expected to sign from Atalanta for around £35million, with the deal for the Brazilian likely to be announced after his World Cup participation comes to an end.

A number of other areas still need to be addressed, with work needed to freshen up the full-back positions and to further bolster the midfield. With that said, GIVEMESPORT have put together a dream Manchester United eleven for next season, which includes four new signings.

Goalkeeper

Lammens

United are reportedly working on a deal to bring Wolves shot-stopper Sam Johnstone back to Old Trafford. Johnstone came through the north-west club’s academy before leaving back in 2018, but could be reunited with his boyhood club this summer.

This won’t impact who dons the number one shirt moving forward, with Senne Lammens expected to be given the opportunity to build on his promising first season in English football. The Belgian arrived last summer from Royal Antwerp and impressed in between the sticks.

Elsewhere in this department, Andre Onana is expected to make way permanently after spending the last year on loan at Turkish side Trabzonspor.

Defence

Ryerson, Maguire, Martinez, Hall

via Reuters

For the first time in a while, Manchester United’s defence seemingly doesn’t need major work. That said, a few additions in the full-back areas could elevate Carrick’s team drastically.

At right-back, an acquisition could be made. Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui endured difficult seasons in 2025/26, and a fresh face is needed. Few links on this front have surfaced, aside from United’s reported pursuit of Borussia Dortmund defender Julian Ryerson.

Ryerson enjoyed an outstanding year last season, registering 18 assists from right-back for Dortmund. This profile of overlapping full-back would allow Bryan Mbeumo to spend more time further inside, providing United with a much more dynamic right-hand side moving forward.

At the heart of the defence, things look settled in Carrick’s squad. Harry Maguire enjoyed a renaissance under the former United midfielder, and is likely to be paired with Lisandro Martinez next season. The likes of Matijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven will support the starting pair, in what is now a fairly strong cohort of centre-backs at Old Trafford.

At left-back, United could make a marquee signing as they look to move on from the ageing and injury-prone Luke Shaw. Lewis Hall is keen on a switch to the north-west, and would arguably be the ideal replacement for Shaw. Boasting exceptional passing and defensive instincts, the Newcastle United man ought to be playing in the Champions League again, and United can provide him with that.

Midfield

Tchouameni, Ederson, Fernandes

via Reuters

United’s midfield is in need of a rebuild, and Casemiro’s exit has seemingly set the wheels in motion for this to take place. The Brazilian is set to be replaced by his compatriot, Ederson, who will expect to play a starring role next term.

The Atalanta man will provide United’s midfield with additional defensive bite — something Casemiro began to lose as he grew older — while he’ll also provide a lot more than the veteran in possession.

Next to Ederson, the Red Devils still need an out-and-out number six. Links to the likes of Adam Wharton and Alex Scott persist, although one reported United target stands above the rest. Aurelien Tchouameni could be available this summer, and Carrick should do everything in his power to convince the Frenchman to swap the Spanish capital for rainy Manchester.

With Ederson next to Tchouameni, United would all of a sudden have one of the most complete double pivots in the league. Kobbie Mainoo can continue to develop under the pair, and rotate into the side regularly in what is set to be a congested fixture schedule.

Ahead of them, Bruno Fernandes will once again pull the strings in the final third.

Attack

Mbeumo, Sesko, Cunha

United did a lot of work on their attack last summer, and thus, the need to strengthen in this area this time around is much less pressing. Benjamin Sesko, Mateus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo all arrived for approximately £200 million combined, and the three of them began to forge an exciting partnership towards the end of the campaign.

Sesko took a while to hit the ground running, but started to pick up form as Carrick’s system set in. He ended the season with 12 league goals, and he ought to be given the opportunity to build on that return next year.

That said, with Champions League football bringing more high-intensity games, a striker who can compete with Sesko should be on United’s transfer list, particularly with Joshua Zirkzee potentially on his way out. Junior Kroupi was linked earlier in the summer, and the young Bournemouth man would certainly be the right profile given his age and style of play.

Mbeumo netted 12 times last season and should be set up to improve on this debut campaign at Old Trafford in 2026/27. The Cameroonian has Amad Diallo to compete with, meaning United’s right-hand side is nicely poised for the time being.

Off the left, Cunha settled in well at United after a period of acclimatisation. While he may be the de facto starting left-winger for Carrick, there is an argument to be made that a more natural wide player should be added to provide the Red Devils with an alternative.

Patrick Dorgu can improvise in this role, but cannot be relied upon to play there regularly in the Champions League. United have opened talks with West Ham United over Crysencio Summerville, and this is exactly the sort of investment they should be making.

Southampton are interested in signing a Crystal Palace star in the summer transfer window.

The Saints failed to gain promotion to the Premier League last season following a controversial incident which saw them kicked out of the playoffs.

Southampton were caught spying on Middlesbrough ahead of their semi-final match, which Tonda Eckert’s side went on to win to reach the final.

Following an investigation, Southampton were found guilty and were removed from the playoffs, sending Middlesbrough into the final.

After a long season in the Championship, Southampton now have to go again, and as a result, they will be looking to bring in reinforcements.

They unfortunately won’t have Premier League football to offer to new signings, which they may have been expecting when they reached the play-off final originally.

Southampton eyeing Crystal Palace star

According to a report from journalist Alan Nixon, Southampton have entered the race to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Justin Devenny in the summer transfer window.

The Saints face competition from Leicester and Preston for the midfielder, with the former willing to pay in the region of £5m.

Southampton are looking at Devenny as a potential replacement for Shea Charles as he nears a move to Leeds United.

The Northern Irish midfielder started just seven Premier League games for Crystal Palace last season, so there is a chance that they would be willing to sanction a departure.

Devenny did, however, play 30 times in all competitions, but the majority of them were from the bench.

Southampton desperately need midfielder

If Charles leaves the club in the summer transfer window, then Southampton desperately need to find a replacement in midfield. The Saints midfielder was one of their best players last season, playing a crucial role in them reaching the play-offs, so they need to replace him for numbers and quality.

If Southampton can receive a fee over £20 million for Charles to a Premier League side, then it’s understandable that they are looking to cash in.

It is now imperative that they find a suitable replacement in the coming weeks and months, as they can’t afford to go into the new season without a new midfielder.