At 1am BST on Monday 6 July, England will walk out at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City for a World Cup last-16 tie that pits them against the co-hosts – in a stadium where England haven't played for 40 years and where the thin air at 7,200 feet above sea level can leave players gasping for breath.
The match is the first time England have played at the Azteca since the 1986 World Cup, when Diego Maradona scored his infamous 'Hand of God' goal. Now, Thomas Tuchel's side must overcome not only Mexico but also a persistent right-back injury crisis. Jarell Quansah, the 23-year-old Bayer Leverkusen defender, is set to start at right-back after returning from an ankle injury suffered against Panama. He is expected to replace Djed Spence, who reported a muscle niggle. Reece James has been absent with a hamstring problem and remains a doubt; he trained alone on Saturday. Declan Rice finished the previous match at right-back but is expected to start in midfield. The expected England XI is: Pickford; Quansah, Konsa, Guehi, O'Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
“England face Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium in a World Cup last-16 tie amid a right-back crisis and altitude challenge.”
The Azteca is one of football's most iconic and intimidating venues. England's last visit ended in a 2-0 defeat to Mexico in a friendly in 1985, and the stadium is famous for its altitude – 7,200 feet above sea level – which can affect players' stamina and breathing. Mexico have a formidable home record at the Azteca, and the atmosphere promises to be intense. The match also takes place during Mexico's stormy season, with lightning and heavy rain possible; FIFA has contingency plans if the game is delayed or abandoned.
For UK viewers, the match is a late-night affair, kicking off at 1am BST. It will be broadcast live and free-to-air on BBC One, with coverage starting at midnight. You can also stream via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, or listen on BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT.
Q: What time does England vs Mexico kick off? The match starts at 1am British Summer Time (BST) on Monday 6 July. For local fans and US viewers, it kicks off at 8pm ET on Sunday 5 July.
Q: Which TV channel is showing England vs Mexico? BBC One will show the match live and free-to-air, with pre-match coverage from midnight BST. You can also stream via BBC iPlayer or the BBC Sport website.
Q: Why is the Azteca Stadium such a difficult place for visiting teams? The stadium is 7,200 feet above sea level, meaning the air is thinner, which can cause fatigue and shortness of breath. Additionally, Mexico have a strong home record there, and the crowd can be hostile. England have not played at the Azteca for 40 years.
What happens next? Weather could disrupt the kick-off: storms are forecast, and FIFA has protocols for delays or abandonment. If England win, they will face the winner of Brazil vs Norway in the quarter-finals. A defeat would end their World Cup campaign.