England are aiming for access to the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup on Sunday, during their confrontation with Mexico. A match on hostile terrain, in the legendary Azteca stadium, requiring adaptation to the 2,200 meters of altitude in Mexico.
Published on: 07/05/2026 - 2:02 p.m. Modified on: 07/05/2026 - 2:17 p.m.
A major challenge. Forced to travel to Mexico to face one of the co-organizers of the competition, the England team hopes, on Sunday July 5, to make its way to the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, pushed by more than 80,000 people in the legendary Azteca stadium.
A stadium that the English have not frequented since their historic defeat against Diego Maradona's Argentina (2-1), and his "hand of God" on June 22, 1986.
Beyond the fervor which accompanies the "El Tri" course, England will have to overcome the effects of the altitude (2,200 m) which blur the benchmarks and make any physical effort difficult.
This hostile environment welcomes a team in search of bearings, which remains in a difficult round of 16 against DR Congo (2-1). Faced with the solidity of Javier Aguirre's selection, and the talent of his striker Julián Quiñones, the English can rely on their number 1 asset, Harry Kane, at the top of his art at 32 years old.
The Bayern Munich player has already scored 72 times this season, including five times since the start of the World Cup, with a saving double in the previous round at the end of the match against DR Congo. The future of the “Three Lions” may depend on its success.
“Iconic match”
After arriving in Mexico City on Friday, the England team trained at the Pumas UNAM complex, their first taste of high altitude before facing an undefeated Mexico team supported at home by a host of supporters.
“We are in an iconic place, in an iconic stadium, for a major match, a single or double-sided match in Mexico at the Azteca,” said coach Thomas Tuchel. “It’s an iconic match and an imposing setting, and we are well aware of that.”
Thomas Tuchel also ruled out the idea of a bad reception for his team against Mexican players playing at home in front of their audience.
"I don't expect a hostile environment. I think there will be a lot of emotion and a lot of support for the host country. The altitude is like that. The host country crowd is like that," he said.
“We have to overcome obstacles, but we have the morale, the commitment, the sheer will and the glue in the team to overcome these things,” he added.
With AFP
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