England's football players have been warned to expect the unexpected when they step onto the field against Mexico this weekend in the World Cup round of 16. The Three Lions are vying for a quarter-final spot but face their biggest test of the Thomas Tuchel era at the Azteca Stadium, located 7,220ft (2,240m) above sea level.
Altitude Sickness Warning from Ex-Pro
Tam McManus, a former Scottish youth international who played a season at Colorado Rapids, posted on X: “As someone who played at high altitude for a season at Colorado Rapids i can tell you now that Mexico have a big advantage over England. My 1st training session at altitude in Denver, I literally could hardly breathe and then subsequently spent the next two days lying in my hotel bed ill with altitude sickness. This won’t happen to everyone and maybe i was just unlucky. What I will say is once I did adjust a few weeks into it, I was in the best physical condition of my career. I also found the ball travelled further in terms of cross balls, clearances went further and you could have shots from anywhere as ball seemed to fly off your boot. Be interesting to see how England adjust to all of the above.”
Tuchel Frustrated by FIFA Rule
England manager Thomas Tuchel expressed frustration over a FIFA rule requiring teams to train in the host city the day before the match. “The recommendation is you either go 10 days before – which is too long for us – or last minute, which is not allowed [by Fifa]. We have spoken to teams who do it and they say they travel very, very late on matchday if they cannot have time to adapt. [We must] find a mixture in between. It will stay as a disadvantage.”
When asked if the rule was unfair, Tuchel said: “Yes, it’s a huge advantage [for Mexico]. The ball will fly differently [at altitude]. It will fly maybe five yards more. It’s just difficult. We just need the experience.”
Mexico's Azteca Record
Mexico have not conceded a goal in the tournament so far and boast an imperious record of just two defeats in 89 competitive games at the Azteca since it opened in 1966. England narrowly beat DR Congo in the last 32 but now face a far sterner test.
Tuchel's men must adapt quickly to the altitude or risk being eliminated by a Mexico side that thrives in its high-altitude home.
