It was because of the heat and humidity. Plus the need to fit 4 games into one day.


Also it is 9pm local time isn't it?

If it's the England match, it's been moved, hasn't it?

I think the original late kick-off time was due to the heat (it's in the Amazon region).

As far as I know, it's been moved back for TV.

So it will be very hot.

They swapped the England-Italy and Cote d'Ivoire- Japan kick off times around, so the Ivorians kick off at 2am and England at 11pm.

"They swapped the England-Italy and Cote d'Ivoire- Japan kick off times around, so the Ivorians kick off at 2am and England at 11pm."

Yes, I thought I heard the commentators say England were going to have the only 2am kick off, so that makes sense along with the 4 matches in a day.

Looking at it and the Japan game will kick off at 10, as you said, but I think the time difference meant that the England game would have kicked off at 9 not 10 local time if it was 2am.

TV rules over the thought process that decided a late kick off was necessary.

I don't think it is that uncommon it hot countries to have late kick offs, sure Portugal have a few games kicking off after 9. And of course the United Chelsea CL final kicked off at stupid o'clock (was it 10 or even later, I cannot remember)

The sweltering heat will be good for England. It'll force their opponents to play at England's pace.