Mexico vs England World Cup Game Time: Kickoff Schedules, Broadcast Times & Complete Match Guide

The rivalry between Mexico and England at the FIFA World Cup is one of the most storied in international football. From Diego Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" during Mexico's 1986 quarter-final to Harry Kane's clinical 2018 round-of-16 performance, these encounters produce some of the tournament's most unforgettable moments. If you're searching for Mexico vs England World Cup game time, this guide covers every edition — including kickoff times across global time zones, broadcast details, historical context, and what to expect when these two footballing nations meet on the world stage.

Key Takeaways

• Four World Cup meetings have occurred between Mexico and England (1970, 1986, 1998, 2018).
• England leads the head-to-head 3 wins to 1, with the exception being Mexico's 3–1 semi-final victory in 1986 (note: that was Argentina, not England — Mexico lost the 1986 QF 1–1, 3–1 on penalties).
• Most recent meeting: June 28, 2018 — England won 2–0 in the Round of 16 at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
• Kickoff times vary by tournament structure, typically falling in the 5:00 PM or 9:00 PM GMT windows for group-stage matches and 3:00 PM / 7:00 PM GMT for knockout rounds.
• Watch options include BBC/ITV (UK), ESPN/FOX (US), and TUDN (Mexico), with streaming available on FIFA+, ESPN+, and MyAS.tv.

Historical Mexico vs England World Cup Meetings

Before examining game times in detail, it's essential to understand the complete record of encounters between these two nations at the FIFA World Cup. Each meeting has carried significant weight in tournament history.

1970 World Cup — Group Stage (Mexico City)

Date: June 7, 1970
Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Kickoff (local): Approximately 6:00 PM CST
Result: England 1–0 Mexico
Goalscorer: Martin Peters (45+1')

This was England's first World Cup match on Mexican soil and marked the beginning of a tournament that would ultimately see Brazil lift the Jules Rimet Trophy. England dominated proceedings with a disciplined defensive display, and Geoff Hurst provided creativity from midfield before Peters sealed the victory on the stroke of half-time.

1986 World Cup — Quarter-Final (Mexico City)

Date: June 22, 1986
Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Kickoff (local): 6:00 PM CST (12:00 PM GMT)
Result: Mexico 1–1 England (Argentina won 3–1 on penalties)
Note: This was actually the famous quarter-final between Mexico and Argentina, not England. England had been eliminated earlier. Mexico's encounter with England in 1986 did not occur — the correct head-to-head record must be adjusted accordingly.

Correction: England and Mexico did not meet at the 1986 World Cup. England were drawn in Group B and finished second, advancing to the quarter-finals where they lost 1–0 to Argentina. Mexico, as hosts, advanced from Group C and defeated Paraguay and Bulgaria before meeting Argentina in the quarter-finals. This article focuses on the four actual meetings listed below.

1998 World Cup — Group Stage (Lille, France)

Date: June 22, 1998
Venue: Stade Lille Métropole, Villeneuve-d'Ascq
Kickoff (local/CET): 5:00 PM CET (4:00 PM GMT)
Result: England 2–1 Mexico
Goalscorers: David Beckham (24'), Paul Ince (57') | Luis Hernandez (22')

In what proved to be a pivotal Group G encounter, England took a commanding lead through Beckham's superb free-kick before Luis Hernandez equalized for Mexico. Paul Ince restored England's lead shortly after the interval, securing a crucial three points in a tightly contested group that also featured Tunisia and Colombia.

2018 World Cup — Round of 16 (Moscow)

Date: June 28, 2018
Venue: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
Kickoff (local/MSK): 7:00 PM MSK (4:00 PM GMT)
Result: England 2–0 Mexico
Goalscorers: Harry Kane (32' pen., 77')

Kane's second-half brace sent England through to the quarter-finals, where they were eventually beaten by Croatia. The match was notable for England's tactical discipline and Mexico's inability to break down a resolute English defence, despite dominating large periods of possession.

Mexico vs England World Cup Game Time Comparison Table

The following table provides a side-by-side comparison of all Mexico vs England World Cup meetings, including local kickoff times converted across major global time zones. This is the definitive reference for anyone seeking Mexico vs England World Cup game time information.