According to a report Thursday afternoon in the Honduran newspaper Diez, the Honduran Football Federation has asked FIFA to reschedule the kick-off time of its third-round final group stage match against Canada from 2pm local time to 7:30pm. (That would be from 4pm ET to 9:30pm.)
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Similar to final group stages matches at major tournaments like the World Cup or the European Championship, Fifa schedules the sixth and final matches in each of the three Concacaf qualifying groups at exactly the same so teams won't (theoretically) know beforehand whether they've qualified. According to the Diez article, as it stands now, the Panama-Cuba match is set for 3pm local time, which means Honduras-Canada would go at 2pm in San Pedro Sula.
The key here is what happens in the second-last group stage game between Panama and Honduras. If Panama wins that match it goes through to the Hex. In that case, the Honduran FA is asking Fifa whether the Canada game can be played at 7:30pm local time, as the corresponding Cuba-Panama would have no impact on the second place finisher.
Interestingly, the aforementioned article says that Pedro Marrero Stadium in Havana doesn't have lighting installed and that local energy-saving laws in Cuba prohibit events of that scale to be held at night. If accurate, that would contradict the widespread assumption among Canadian fans that Cuba schedules its home matches in the afternoon to try to gain advantage from the stifling heat.
In any case, a multitude of reasons exist why a 7:30pm kickoff would be better for Canada.
First and foremost, it's far better from a Canada perspective if Panama wins on October 12 anyway, because it means Canada needs to do less in Honduras. A draw would see Canada through.
Second, it would allow people like this writer and other Canadian fans to able to watch THE MOST IMPORTANT Canada game in years at a pub with friends. Third, the average October daytime temperature in San Pedro Sula is about 32C, which would not suit the Canadian players. Of course, an almost-as-hot and muggy night wouldn't really suit them either, but you take what you can get.
And finally, if the Canadians are going to have crazed locals blaring music and shooting fireworks at their hotel all night, the players could probably use the extra five hours rest.
Check back with CSN in the days to come for updates on this story.