England’s team bus pulled up at their Mexico City hotel at 2.15am on Saturday to a wall of noise — boos, jeers, and a crowd of drinkers at the bar bursting into a chant of “Mexico, Mexico, Mexico” as the players walked through the lobby. More than 300 police officers, many with riot shields and some heavily armed, stood guard outside. Darkness had fallen, and as officers moved into position they banged their shields on the ground.
The hostile welcome capped a chaotic 24 hours for the Three Lions, who had flown in from Kansas City after a day of dizzying confusion over the kick-off time for Sunday’s last-16 tie against the co-hosts. First, Fifa considered moving the match forward by six hours because of storms forecast around the Azteca; then both the English and Mexican football associations expressed fury at the prospect of a change less than 48 hours before kick-off; and finally, after a dramatic U-turn, the kick-off remained at 18:00 local time (01:00 BST Monday).
“England players were booed and chanted at as they arrived at 2.15am after Fifa's failed six-hour kick-off change.”
Mexican radio journalist Andres Vaca broke the story of the potential switch, leading to bewilderment. England’s squad was wrapping up an open training session in Kansas when the first ripples hit social media. The Football Association knew nothing until around 20:00 BST, when it was finally informed of Fifa’s intention. Both national associations locked in talks with Fifa, raising issues of fan travel, team preparations and the logistical nightmare of rescheduling a huge event at such short notice. England’s Morgan Rogers and Marcus Rashford, having been briefed, told the media with calm that any change would be handled.
By the time the team reached Mexico City, the uncertainty was over — but the atmosphere was electric. “It’s been pretty good spirited — they’ve been some boos but nothing nasty at all,” said Kevin Evans, a 43-year-old England supporter originally from London but now living in New Orleans who travelled for the match. Still, the banging of riot shields and the chant from the bar told a different story. Fears remain that Mexico fans will disrupt England players’ sleep, as happened to opponents Ecuador when hundreds surrounded their hotel with chanting and fireworks.
Mexico City mayor Clara Brugada urged home fans to behave “responsibly, carefully and with empathy.” The match, which will be shown live on BBC One and iPlayer, will be England’s first ever at the Azteca. Javier Aguirre, the Mexico manager, revealed his anger at Fifa’s bungled attempt to move the game. For now, though, the players shrugged off the abuse, smiling and waving as they headed to their rooms — Jude Bellingham, Reece James and Jordan Henderson among those who turned and grinned at the crowd.