It is an unprecedented challenge for England. And for many of their supporters too.Thomas Tuchel’s men have little time to acclimate as they face Mexico at altitude at the Azteca Stadium in the round of 16 on Sunday. Back in England, the World Cup match starts on Monday at 1am BST — the earliest (or latest) ever kick-off for England at a major tournament.While travelling fans in Mexico City can look forward to a kick-off time of 6pm, those watching back in the UK face a very late night, a very early morning or trying to avoid spoilers and catching up on the action later.For his part, the England manager urged parents to let their children tune in, even if it is a school night. “Write an excuse for school and let them watch,” he said during his press conference after the team’s dramatic 2-1 win over DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday.“There’s so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch. There will be a big match in four days, and we need the support of everyone, especially the children.”What is the nation doing to prepare? The first reaction might be to look to the past, but there is no precedent.Perhaps the closest comparison is the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, for which fans at home also faced some early starts. The group stage game against Nigeria in Osaka kicked off at 7:30am in the UK. That was also the case for their quarter-final defeat by Brazil in another Japanese city, Shizuoka.At the time many schools made special arrangements to screen the game, and invited pupils to come in before kick-off and watch the match with their friends. Others delayed the start of the school day until after the match to allow children to watch at home.England fans watching the defeat by Brazil early in the morning in Trafalgar Square during the 2002 World Cup (Tom Shaw/Getty Images)Pubs were able to open early and served alcohol from 6am by applying to local magistrates for a special licence.The last time England played at the Azteca, in their 1986 World Cup quarter-final defeat by Argentina, there were no early starts necessary. The game kicked off at noon local time; 7pm BST.But there is a big difference between getting up to watch a game at 7:30am and a 1am kick off.England fans will be able to watch in pubs. The government will allow pubs to extend their opening hours for the game, which will last until at least 3am, and beyond, should the game go to extra time. And perhaps even penalties.On Thursday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the decision to allow pubs to open later was good news for both supporters and the hospitality industry.“Football might be coming home but we’re making sure fans don’t have to,” he said.Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that pubs can open late for the game (Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images)In April the Government had already agreed for licensing hours to be extended from 11pm to 1am for games with kick-offs from 5pm up to 9pm. They were also allowed to stay open until 2am for kick offs after 9pm and up to 10pm, such as for England’s group games against Croatia and Ghana (9pm) and Panama (10pm).Outside of those rules, pubs were also able to apply to their local council for a Temporary Event Notice to stay open late.Even before the news that Starmer had granted the latest extension, Boxpark’s head of events & marketing David Byrne said they had asked for temporary notices at their six venues across the country.“It’s not straightforward for hospitality businesses, but we have got to roll with it and take the opportunity to put something great on for fans,” he says. “It’s a special moment, a lot of people in the country will be excited and we want to help fans enjoy watching England and create memories.“There’s a lot to consider,” he says. “We have to ensure staff that work can get home safely at that time and organise taxis for them. We also look at sound restrictions at venues which are near to any residential building.”He says that past experience of hosting events at unsociable hours, such as Super Bowl watch parties in London have proved that thousands will still venture out to watch sporting events regardless of the time.“We plotted what England’s route might look like and it always seemed they could play Mexico, so we applied for our temporary notice early,” he adds.“But in all my time in the industry I’ve never dealt with the scale of a 1am England kick-off. It will pose a challenge but this is what we do. It’s about people coming together.”And what of the bleary-eyed millions hoping to watch at home? They can watch the game live on BBC One and iPlayer.For those who value sleep and can’t face the prospect of staying up, there is the option of watching the game on catch-up on Monday morning. Both BBC and ITV are offering “no spoilers” options.James Wilson is a behavioural sleep expert who has worked with EFL and Premier League clubs, and also a parent of school-aged children trying to formulate his own plan for the game.In general, he says people who want to watch it live should first consider their normal sleep patterns.“It all depends on your sleep type,” he says. “If you’re a lark type who tends to go to bed early and get up early, then I’d say go to bed at 9pm, get some sleep, then wake up at 1am to watch the game and go back to sleep for a few hours after.“But if you’re an owl who stays up later and rises a bit later, going to bed at 9pm probably won’t help. They’d probably struggle to drop off and just lie there.“It’s about fitting it into people’s work schedule and around their natural sleep rhythms.”Wilson says the most obvious, and ideal, tactic would be to book a day off work on Monday or for schools to be flexible with class times.“The sensible thing will be for schools to just start a bit later on Monday,” he says. “Most exams are over and it’s nearly school holidays anyway.”At some schools plans are already underway. Stephen Heal, headteacher of Malmesbury Church of England Primary in Wiltshire, told BBC Radio 5 Live they will open early.Schools may need to be flexible with class times given how many children will stay up to watch Harry Kane and co (Odd Andersen/AFP via Getty Images)“We’re going to invite the children to arrive at 7am if they’d like to,” he said. “Watch the match all together in the school hall, we’ll give them a bit of breakfast and we’ll be done by 9am in time to start school.“That way they’re not going to miss a night’s sleep and they’re not going to miss a morning’s school. We’re just going to ask the parents to not let them know what the result is, otherwise the news will filter out and spoil everyone else’s enjoyment.”Wilson agrees that enjoyment of a unique event should be the main thing. “I’d advise people not to overthink it too much,” he says. “If England win 2-1 these are the types of moments kids will remember all their lives.“And for adults less sleep outside of their normal schedule will always affect you — but only for a day or two at most.”Wilson has some dietary tips too. “I’d say if you want to use caffeine to help stay awake maybe have some at 10pm, but remember that alcohol might affect your quality of sleep too, as will salty foods.”Despite his upbeat attitude about the sleep challenge for ordinary fans, he does have a disclaimer: “If you’ve got a job that is safety critical and you absolutely need to be alert for it, there’s obviously more serious considerations.”Workers in those jobs might just have to get very good at avoiding spoilers.From the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) there was an extra note of caution. Road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “We’re concerned there’s a risk of a spike in avoidable collisions on Monday and urge drivers to put their own safety, and that of others, first.“Anyone who stays up to watch England take on Mexico in the early hours shouldn’t drive until they’re fully rested and hydrated. In reality, that may not be until much later in the day. Those who have consumed alcohol while watching the match shouldn’t get behind the wheel until they’re absolutely sure it’s completely out of their system.“This advice is especially important given the arrival of a further spell of hot weather, which will only amplify the effects of tiredness and slow people recovering.“Tiredness, dehydration and alcohol can be a lethal combination behind the wheel.”