Rio de Janeiro, Dec 8 (IANS): World football's governing body FIFA has changed the kickoff timings for seven 2014 World Cup matches, including three in the Amazonian city of Manaus.
The announcement follows pressure from the international players' union FIFPro amid fears that players could suffer dehydration in the country's north and northeast, reports Xinhua.
Among the changes is England's clash with Italy at Manaus's Arena da Amazonia June 14, which has been shifted from 9 p.m. to 6 p.m, appeasing the wishes of European television broadcasters.
Cote d'Ivoire's clash with Japan in Recife on the same day has been pushed back from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Cameroon-Croatia duel in Manaus June 18, has been moved to 6 p.m. from 3 p.m. while Spain and Chile will now meet at 4 p.m. in Rio de Janeiro instead of 7 p.m.