A number of schools in London and elsewhere in England will open later on Monday morning to allow children watching England's 1am World Cup match against Mexico enough time to get some rest.
The round-of-16 match comes after a dramatic England victory against the DR Congo on Wednesday - which left fans nervous when the African nation scored the opening goal, only for Harry Kane to come to the rescue with two goals.
The upcoming match in Mexico City kicks off at 1am BST on Monday, posing a challenge for the nation’s pubs which have benefited from a late U-turn from Sir Keir Starmer to allow them to stay open until 5am.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has previously advised that children could manage to get to school on time, even if they stayed up to watch the game.
But a number of schools have confirmed they will open late on Monday morning. They include two schools in south London, as well as others in Salford and County Durham.
In a letter to parents, Oaks Park High School in Carshalton, said pupils should arrive at 9.45am. The message stated: "We hope these arrangements strike the right balance between recognising what is likely to be a memorable sporting occasion and ensuring that students continue to benefit from being in school."
In addition, the school is encouraging children to get some rest before the match, adding that staying awake through the night is "likely to leave them extremely tired".
Another school in the same Sutton borough, Cheam High School, has confirmed it will start at 10am. The headteacher wrote to parents: "We would like to give our students and staff the opportunity to watch the match without worrying about getting up so early."
Elsewhere, Annfield Plain Infant School in Stanley, County Durham, confirmed it will open at 10am instead of 9am, while St Patrick's RC High School in Salford will not start lessons until 10am, although the school will open as usual at 8.30am.
Similar measures have also been reported at Hill Avenue Academy in Wolverhampton, as well as Castle Hill Primary School in Basingstoke.
Other schools have taken different measures to accommodate the match, such as showing highlights to pupils in the morning, in order that they do not feel they have missed out.
On Saturday, England received a hostile welcome as they arrived at their Mexico City hotel ahead of the last-16 tie.
England had been hoping to keep their location undisclosed after Mexico supporters used loud speakers, horns and motorcycles to try to disturb the sleep of Ecuador’s players before their last-32 tie, which the co-hosts won 2-0 on Wednesday night.
But when England’s coach arrived at their hotel, hundreds of fans were already there, with many booing while others chanted “Mexico”.
Weather concerns have led to speculation that the match could be brought forward. But both England and Mexico had voiced opposition to rescheduling the game less than 48 hours before kick-off.
A hostile reception is far from the only challenge England will face in Mexico City, with the Estadio Azteca at an altitude of more than 2,000 metres above sea level, meaning players must adapt to lower levels of oxygen in the air.
Mexico have only been beaten twice in 89 matches at the Azteca, winning 70 and drawing 17. They are unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches at the stadium.
