England Seek Quarter-Final Berth Against Mexico
England can secure a place in the World Cup 2026 quarter-finals by defeating Mexico in the early hours of Monday morning at the Azteca Stadium. The venue presents a formidable challenge: Mexico has lost only twice in 89 matches at this ground, and the match will be played at 2,240 metres above sea level, testing the Three Lions' physical limits. The winner will face either Brazil or Norway in the next round.
Clinton Morrison: England Must Raise Their Game
Former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison stressed the difficulty of playing in Mexico City but backed England to win. "That's different. They haven't lost there, have they? They've got the home fans and the altitude, and England are going to struggle with that," Morrison said. "It'll be difficult conditions, and Mexico are a good team — I watched them blow Ecuador away. England will have to raise their game, because Mexico have players who can cause them a lot of problems. I still think England can go there and beat them — without a shadow of a doubt — but it'll be their hardest test so far."
Roy Keane: England Will Reach Quarters but No Further
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane expressed confidence in England beating Mexico but warned of tougher tests ahead. "I think they beat Mexico on Monday, but if they get through to the likes of Brazil and Argentina, that's when the trouble will really start," Keane said on ITV. "I don't think England have got too much more to go, which is why I'm saying they'll get to the quarters. A couple of world-class individuals have kicked in, but they can only get you so far as well. I don't think England have many more gears."
Alan Shearer: Tactical Adjustments Needed
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer predicted an England win but highlighted the need for tactical changes. In his BBC column, Shearer wrote: "While I am expecting England to win, Thomas Tuchel has got a few decisions to make about his team. Whoever plays at right-back will have to deal with Julian Quinones, who is one of Mexico's dangermen with three goals at this World Cup so far. Tuchel might get more defensive stability there if he plays Djed Spence but, by doing that, England would probably lose a little bit going forward."
Gabby Agbonlahor: Hard-Fought Extra-Time Victory
Former England international Gabby Agbonlahor predicted a narrow win in extra time. "I think we win [via] a hard-fought extra time goal," he said on talkSPORT. Discussing the later stages, he added: "I'm not scared of Brazil, I think we beat Brazil. I think we lose to Argentina, they just know how to win."
Jason Cundy: No Excuses, Must Overcome Hurdles
Ex-Chelsea and Tottenham star Jason Cundy insisted England must win to keep their World Cup dreams alive. "I agree with you, but what I don't want to be doing is sitting there on Monday using that as an excuse — go there and beat them," Cundy told talkSPORT. "I know it's going to be tough and there's a reason their record is so good — the level of opposition [they've beaten]. If we're going to win a World Cup, and it is going to be tough, but you've got to do this. You've got to get past these hurdles."
