Pull an all-nighter? How parents, schools, fans and police plan to cope with England’s 1am kick-off

England's World Cup round of 16 match against Mexico kicks off at 1 am BST, potentially ending around 3-4 am. This late start has prompted various plans to cope with the impact on children, parents, schools, pubs, and police. Some schools are allowing later arrivals or showing replays, while others leave decisions to headteachers. Pubs will now be allowed to open until 5 am to accommodate the late game, a decision that has drawn criticism from the police who anticipate increased strain on resources and potential for disorder. Parents are debating strategies for managing children's sleep and energy levels for the following school day.

England's coach, Thomas Tuchel, stated it's impossible for his team to acclimate to the high altitude of Mexico City before their World Cup match against Mexico on Sunday. The Azteca Stadium is over 7,300 feet above sea level, presenting a significant advantage to the home team, who are undefeated in World Cup games there. Tuchel believes adapting to such altitude requires more time than available, citing sports scientists' recommendations of at least two weeks. England, having trained in Florida for heat, will travel from Kansas City to Mexico City on Friday. Tuchel plans to utilize hydration breaks, which proved effective in their previous match, to mitigate the altitude's effects. The game also carries historical weight for England, recalling Maradona's infamous goals against them at the same stadium in 1986.