Preparations for Mexico City Match
England are implementing precautionary measures ahead of their arrival in Mexico City for a World Cup last-16 tie against Mexico. The team is focused on ensuring players’ rest and sleep are not disturbed by local supporters, which could impact their preparations for the match.
The fixture is scheduled for Sunday, with kick-off at 01:00 BST on Monday. The squad is set to arrive in the capital on Friday, allowing two nights in the city before the game. This marks a change in England’s usual travel schedule, as they typically fly into the host city the night before a match.
However, FIFA regulations require teams to conduct a partially open training session the day prior to a game. Previously, England had been holding these sessions in Kansas before travelling to the US city where their matches were taking place. For the upcoming match against Mexico, it has been decided that England will train in Mexico instead.
Addressing Potential Disruptions and Altitude Challenges
Concerns about potential disruptions stem from a previous incident involving Mexico’s last-32 opponents, Ecuador. Ecuador lodged a complaint with FIFA after their squad was reportedly kept awake by noisy Mexico supporters outside their team hotel. These supporters allegedly used loudspeakers, horns, and motorcycles late into the night, deliberately disturbing the players.
The Ecuador team stayed at the Westin Hotel in Mexico City. While England aims to keep their accommodation undisclosed, there is apprehension that their location might eventually be leaked on social media. To mitigate this, England players and staff who have not brought personal sleeping aids, such as earplugs or sleep bands, will be offered natural sleep remedies or white noise audio machines to help ensure uninterrupted rest.
Football Association staff are also reviewing security arrangements around England’s team hotel in Mexico City. The FA is aware that such tactics from fans are not uncommon in Latin American football and that England’s hotel could also be targeted. The FA is confident in its current security measures, though these remain adaptable should new information emerge. A significant police presence is expected on the streets before the game, consistent with the security measures observed throughout this leg of the tournament, which has also seen various protests from direct action groups.
Beyond potential noise disturbances, England will also face the challenge of playing at high altitude. Mexico City has an average elevation of approximately 2,240 metres above sea level, meaning there is less oxygen available. This can affect player performance, particularly for those not accustomed to such conditions.
Mexico has played all four of their World Cup games so far in high-altitude conditions. Three of these fixtures took place at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, with the other in Guadalajara, which is approximately 1,566 metres above sea level. Ideally, athletes competing at high altitude require a week or two to acclimatise and allow their bodies to generate more red blood cells.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has acknowledged that his team will be at a disadvantage. He stated that physical adaptation to the altitude is not possible within the four days available between matches. Tuchel noted that this presents a significant advantage for Mexico, but expressed confidence in his team’s readiness to deal with the challenge.
The FA has been allocated 3,000 tickets for the match at the Azteca, which has a capacity of 83,264. More England fans may attend, but they could face high prices on resale markets, with one ticket listed at £27,300.
Ecuador’s journey to Mexico City for their last-32 match was also complicated by travel issues. Their flight from Colombia, Ohio, was delayed by three hours, and they encountered traffic problems in Mexico City, resulting in a nine-hour journey time.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
Adam Rutherford is a Senior Football Correspondent at News-UK. He spent his early career filing match reports across the North West. He focuses on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Manchester Metropolitan University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Manchester, he coaches a youth team and watches grassroots football. “Every transfer window hides a dozen real stories.”
