England’s players were booed as they arrived at their Mexico City hotel on Saturday, with hundreds of riot police lining the streets and armed National Guard officers standing guard at the entrance. The hostile reception, mixed with cheers from some fans, was just the first of several challenges Thomas Tuchel’s side face before their World Cup last-16 tie against the co-hosts at the Azteca Stadium on Monday.
The heightened security at the team hotel came after Ecuador, beaten by Mexico in the last 32, lodged a noise complaint with Fifa. Local supporters deliberately kept the Ecuador squad awake using loudspeakers, horns and motorcycles outside their Westin Hotel late at night. England had tried to keep their own hotel location undisclosed, but fears of a leak were confirmed when hundreds of locals gathered outside on Friday, chanting “Mexico” and booing. Police in riot gear stood behind barriers, while Mexico’s National Guard secured the entrance.
“England's squad was booed and met by riot police in Mexico City ahead of their last-16 World Cup clash.”
The Three Lions now face a potentially sleepless night. Players and staff will be offered natural sleep remedies or white noise machines, and some will bring ear plugs or sleep bands. Attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers said: “I won’t be happy if it wakes me up – I’ll be honest. We’ll see how it goes but we’ll deal with it as best as possible. It’s just another obstacle to overcome but we’re ready.”
Altitude adds another layer of difficulty. The Azteca Stadium sits 2,240 metres above sea level, making breathing harder and sleep more restless. And the kick-off time itself has been a source of confusion. Fifa briefly considered moving the match forward because of forecast thunderstorms, sparking anger from both camps before the governing body performed a U-turn.
England will be backed by a far greater number of supporters than those who jeered them, with hundreds cheering Tuchel when he departed for training later on Saturday. But the atmosphere inside the Azteca is expected to be ferocious. The match, which kicks off at 01:00 BST on Monday, will be broadcast live on BBC One and iPlayer.
With Morocco having already knocked out co-hosts Canada earlier on Saturday, England know that a hostile crowd and a determined Mexican side await. Tuchel’s squad must overcome noise, altitude and a partisan stadium if they are to keep their World Cup dream alive.