England boasts a 'United Nations' of fans backing them to end 60 years of hurt, including Mexicans. The two nations meet on Monday in a mouth-watering last-16 clash at Mexico City's iconic Estadio Azteca, where Diego Maradona's 'Hand Of God' goal dumped England out in 1986.
While playing in front of 87,000 Mexicans 7,350ft above sea level in stifling 40C heat could strike fear into Thomas Tuchel's team, some home fans will be secretly supporting them.
Historical ties bind Mexico to England
Mexico has had a deep-rooted love of English football since a mob of Cornishmen who headed over in 1824 to revive flooded silver mines introduced the North American nation to the game. Fans of Mexico's first football club CF Pachuca unfurl a tifo of a pickaxe-wielding miner with a Cornish pastie, and the club serves the beef treats with chilli as half-time snacks.
Mexicans have been bonkers about the Three Lions ever since, a love affair cemented by the country's role in the 2001 mockumentary Mike Bassett: England Manager starring Ricky Tomlinson, Amanda Redman and Bradley Walsh. The movie, in which lower league boss Bassett gets the England job because no-one else wants it, was a smash hit in Mexico largely because in it they wallop the Three Lions 4-0 at the World Cup.
Mexican fans show support in Cancun
Beaches in the nation's party capital Cancun were packed with Mexicans dressed in bikinis in England's colours, happily posing for photos with flags of St George and chanting “Viva Ingleterra”. On the resort's Dolphin Beach, Marisol Campos sported a red swimsuit with white shorts while her pal Caro Garza had a Three Lions-coloured red bikini.
“We like Ingleterra – all Mexico does,” said the duo as they waved England flags. Bar worker Maria Herrera said: “It will be just wow. Many Mexicans love English football and support their teams – Manchester United, Arsenal, Fulham. I’m not sure who most will want to win – even my father. Me? I like Jude Bellingham. He’s very beautiful.”
Guide Arturo Cortes said: “The love affair goes back many years. Mexico only has football because of England. We only have Cornish pies because of England. We are each passionate about both. Then came Mike Bassett. Then Javier Hernandez signed for Manchester United. Now many Mexicans play in England. The bond is deep. Loyalties will be tested. Some Mexicans may secretly support England because they will have the best chance of winning. We want someone to stop the US.”
Mexican star Kuno Becker admits divided loyalties
Even Mexican movie star Kuno Becker, 48, admitted his loyalties were divided. The Goal! actor, who played Santiago Muñez in the hit film series from 2005 to 2009, told Ladbrokes: “I would love for Mexico to win. But there’s so much emotional attachment for me when it comes to England. You know, the fact we spent so much time there, I got to learn about the culture, and what football means to those people. I have to root for them also just because of the movies. That country is so close to my heart. This game is a really tough one for me to pick a winner for.”
Becker predicted: “I think Mexico are going to fight until the death. I think it’s going to be 1-1, it’ll go to penalties, and the tension is going to go through the roof. It’s at Estadio Azteca, and the energy there is going to be insane. This is a historic moment for the people of Mexico. I also think the altitude is going to play a part in the game, and it’s going to be another challenge for England. So England obviously have the better team, but when you throw in the atmosphere inside that stadium, and the altitude, I think that levels things out a little. Both countries need this win. Mexico has gone through so much, as has England, and we need that escape. It’s going to be a great game. Every Mexican player is going to be giving 500%. They’re going to go out there and give everything, for every second. The crowd are going to make it so difficult for England.”
England also backed by American fans
Mexicans are not the Three Lions' only secret supporters. An army of Americans are also backing England. Police and FIFA reckon 15,000 pulled on England shirts to double the ranks of fans at the opening 4-2 victory over Croatia in Dallas. US law student Abby Shields, 22, said: “I got a shirt because of Jude Bellingham.”
World Cup backdrop in Cancun
Cancun, visited by 200,000 Brits a year, is the only Mexican hub with direct flights to all 16 World Cup host cities and knows how to party. Apart from a fanzone in the middle of a crocodile swamp, multiple sports bars and watch parties, it boasts a Boobs Cruise – at which revellers must donate their bikini tops to form a flag on the boat – and partner-swapping adult-only resort Temptation. But captain Harry Kane should steer clear if England end 60 years of hurt by lifting the trophy. According to loyal Mayan tradition, the winning skipper of their ancient ball game pok-ta-pok at the nearby Chichen Itza pyramids would be sacrificed to the gods by having his heart hacked out while it was still beating.
