World Cup 2026: Mexico vs England - How to survive Three Lions' 1am last-16 tie on Monday
Mexico entertain England at the Estadio Azteca in the early hours of Monday morning; the round-of-16 tie gets under way in Mexico City at 1am UK time; if the match goes all the way to extra time and penalties, then your Monday may need rescheduling! Follow the match on the Sky Sports app
Thursday 2 July 2026 16:14, UK
England face Mexico for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals, but with the tie not kicking off until 1am UK time on Monday, we have a handy guide for you on how best to prep for the early-morning start.
- England's potential fixtures and route to the World Cup final
- World Cup day-by-day schedule | Latest: World Cup
- Follow our World Cup coverage in the Sky Sports App
Take in a Super Sunday on Sky ahead of an all-nighter
Depending on your stamina, one option - and yes, it is a brave one and not for the faint-hearted, or those of a certain age - maybe to do an all-nighter!
There is a feast of top-level sport for you to consume during the daytime, all live on Sky Sports, starting with the British Grand Prix from Silverstone that gets under way at 3pm on Sky Sports F1.
Live Formula 1
England Women's cricketers could be playing in a World Cup final, of course, with the first ball being bowled in the T20 World Cup final at Lord's at 3.30pm, while there is also a whole host of Super League to keep you on your toes as part of the Magic Weekend.
That is before we even talk about Wimbledon, which you could consume all afternoon on the sofa, before that day's World Cup action kicks off with an eye-catching last-16 fixture featuring five-time world champions Brazil against Erling Haaland's Norway at 9pm.
Live Women's ICC World T20 Cricket
And if that game, which you can follow via our live blog on the Sky Sports app, goes to extra time and penalties, that will take you almost all the way through to the start of the build-up to England's encounter on the BBC!
This option will require a pass from your significant other, liberal amounts of caffeine (all brands accepted), a light meal at some point to keep the energy levels up, and the use of tactical 'power naps' during the day.
Do not forget that with the match scheduled to end at about 3am, or even later if extra time and a dreaded penalty shootout is required, a plan for Monday morning will be needed!
Power on through and head into the office bleary-eyed? Take a second 'power nap' and arrive for work slightly later, but at least awake! Or will Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer grant everyone a public holiday as one of his final parting gifts before leaving office?!
Squeeze some sleep in before kick-off
If your sleep is too important and powering through is not for you, you can always bank some before the game.
Have an early night and set an alarm for just before kick-off to grab what could be a vital few hours' sleep, especially if England are taken all the way to penalties by Mexico.
You might wake up before the game slightly dazed, but once the anthems start, the adrenaline should take over as you prepare to enjoy the live experience.
But don't overdo the caffeine on Sunday. Too much coffee could ruin those sleep plans ahead of the big game.
The catch-up method
If you feel you cannot do without a full night's sleep and work is calling, you can catch up with the game bright and early on Monday morning.
A 6am wake-up call could see you watch the entire match before most people are even awake, especially those that have watched the game live at 1am.
The benefits: You'll get a full night's sleep, and you'll be ready for the day and sharper for any work or jobs that need doing.
So, how do you avoid the score? You'll need spoiler discipline!
Reject those phone calls and do not read any text messages. Stay off social media, WhatsApp and avoid those news alerts to watch the game as if it's live.
Extra time: How to survive Monday!
Unless you've taken option C, Monday could be a struggle.
Here are some tips to get through what could be a long day…
- You'll need that caffeine! Get a coffee down as soon as you wake up for that energy boost.
- Daylight could be crucial. Get out for a walk for a dose of vitamin D.
- Keep that water bottle topped up. Staying hydrated could be key to getting through the day
- Proper meals will keep those energy stocks topped up
- And finally, just keep Monday simple. The likelihood is that everyone will be in the same boat.
