Thomas Tuchel has warned that Mexico will have a “huge advantage” over England in their World Cup showdown. The joint hosts boast a daunting record at the Azteca Stadium, where they have lost just twice in 89 competitive games played in Mexico City. Mexico have already beaten South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic, and Ecuador without conceding a goal in this tournament.
Altitude and Home Support Pose Major Challenges
England will face an intimidating atmosphere with overwhelming home support, while the stadium is situated 7,200 feet above sea level, which will be a massive issue for Tuchel’s men. Winning this match would rank as one of the greatest achievements by England on foreign soil, given the high altitude and a kick-off time that falls in the middle of the night back home. Mexico are clearly accustomed to altitude, but opponents get very little time to adjust. When asked whether this was unfair, Tuchel said: “Yes, it’s a huge advantage.”
Preparation and Scientific Advice
There are no set FIFA rules about when teams should arrive at the Azteca, but sports science suggests the optimum time is to have just six hours at altitude without adverse effects, followed by between 18 and 24 hours. However, FIFA insists opposing teams are in the city at least 24 hours, so that option is not available to England. Therefore, England will fly out on Friday evening to Mexico City. The Football Association believes the first night at altitude impacts sleep, so if they stay two nights, they will get at least one good night’s sleep before the game. Research shows 48 hours is the maximum limit before serious side-effects kick in. England will be in Mexico City just under 48 hours before kick-off. Altitude can leave even elite athletes wilting, sapping their energy and depriving them of oxygen, while the ball flies differently through the thin air.
Tuchel says the FA has taken expert advice, liaising with the British Olympic Association and speaking to other sports to get the best science and opinion on how to prepare. He stated: “We will go one night earlier. It makes sense. The ball will fly differently. It will fly maybe five yards more. It’s just difficult. We just need the experience. The recommendation is you either go ten days before – which is too long for us – or last minute, which is not allowed. We have spoken to teams who do it and they say they travel very very late on match day if they cannot have time to adapt. Find a mixture in between. It will stay as a disadvantage. We have done our homework. Team GB was a part of it. All the experts. The FA did it for me and gave me all the info. It will be different but I think it will come automatically, I think. We will adapt to what is going on there. The heat and the humidity will not be our biggest problem. We have banked a lot of heat minutes in our body. I think if it’s really really hot it may take intensity away from the match.”
Mexico's Formidable Record at the Azteca
Mexico blew Ecuador away with a fast start in their first knockout tie and, with the crowd behind them, they were far too strong for their opponents. England will face a huge mission to win, and Tuchel remembers watching the 1986 World Cup as a child, saying the Azteca will always be an “iconic stadium.” He added: “I remember something was hanging in the centre of the Azteca and it never moved. It was like a ball hanging and the sun was so steep the shadow was always there in the middle. Which year was that? 1986? Germany played in the final. It’s an iconic stadium. I remember the coffee table book that came from it and the pictures with all these flags and stuff. Super excited to have this match. It’s an iconic match to play against Mexico in Mexico. It will be against the whole country, the energy of the whole stadium in their country.”
Analysis: Why Mexico Are Favourites vs England
England's reward for scraping through the round of 32 is a daunting clash against Mexico on their own turf. Speaking on the Make Football Great Again Podcast, John Cross pointed out: “Mexico have played 89 competitive matches at the Azteca, losing only twice, winning 70, drawn 17. I want to be clear that England, having watched that game against Mexico in Ecuador, England a better man for man without a shadow of a doubt. But I think England will be up against it. The ghosts of the Azteca, the fear factor, everything that goes with it, the altitude, lack of preparation. If England can win the last 16 tie in Mexico City against Mexico, it will be one of the greatest achievements by an England football team. Honestly, it will really, truly be on that scale.”
