England's World Cup chances are receding by the minute after FIFA brought forward the kick-off time of their match against Italy in Manaus - known as the ‘Paris of the Tropics’.
The game was scheduled to take place in the most populous city of the Amazon region on June 14 at 21:00 local time (2am UK time), but has now been moved to 18:00 (11pm) – a time which may see players endure hotter conditions.
The Three Lions were happy to kick off in the relative cool of the evening, but following pressure from broadcasters and advertisers, FIFA moved the kick-off time to allay fears about viewing figures and revenues.
Despite FIFA asserting that there will be ‘similar conditions as at 21:00’, temperatures in Manaus can hit more than 30 degrees centigrade in June with humidity levels rising far above 80 per cent in the city - which is situated in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
Roy Hodgson
and Club England managing director Adrian Bevington were adamant they wanted to
play at 9pm local time, but FIFA ignored their pleas.
