05.07.2026, 04:07 Uhr
Mexico boss Javier Aguirre denied he was “fooled” by FIFA’s potential plan to move the kick-off of the last-16 clash with England.
Aguirre said in a radio interview that the decision to bring the game forward six hours was a “kick in the stomach”.
FIFA was in discussions to change the kick-off time to midday local time on Sunday (1800 GMT) because of the threat of thunderstorms, but they stuck to the original plan.
Asked by Mexican journalists whether he felt fooled, Aguirre replied: “Before you were calling me a preacher, now you are telling me I was fooled.
“I don’t know what you mean, I was told the match would be played at a different time and I said I wasn’t happy with the change. A day before the match, it was inconvenient and that’s all I said.
“I wasn’t looking for attention. You can rest assured those things aren’t spreading through the group – they’re prepared, strong and ready to play a good match tomorrow.
“Those things can happen and went unnoticed for the players.”
Aguirre is in his third spell in charge of his national team, having also managed in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, and will leave his position at the end of this tournament.
He has a special relationship with the famous Estadio Azteca, having played for Mexico during the 1986 World Cup, but believes the match against England will his best memory.
“I have many different feelings in my heart. But the best is yet to come. Tomorrow will be a wonderful day,” he said.
“There are a lot of different stories there for me – my parents won’t be there, but my two granddaughters will be there.
“Listening to the national anthem will go with me, and none of them are more important than another, but the best is tomorrow I’m sure.
“If I didn’t believe we could, I’d tell you. I firmly believe in how we play, and I believe that the team who makes less mistakes will win.
“The pressure is always the same. If it’s here or in Mexico or the US, there’s always pressure and that’s good as it makes you better.”
Mexico have won all four of their games in the tournament so far, without conceding a goal.
But their defence will come up against their biggest challenge yet when they face England captain Harry Kane.
Aguirre added: “Harry Kane is a world star. The goals he has scored with the team and with Bayern Munich, he’s a top, top player in the world. He’s tall, and good at defending, and the captain.
“Of course we will try to neutralize him with our defensive midfielders and try and keep him uncomfortable so he can’t build any plays.”
Source: Dpa-international.com
