England have just scraped past DR Congo 2-1 thanks to a late Harry Kane brace, and now face a daunting last-16 tie against co-hosts Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca. For many English fans, Mexico are a familiar yet mysterious opponent — a team that has historically been a fortress at home but arrives at this World Cup with a pragmatic, defence-first style and a teenage prodigy who could be their next star.
Mexico, co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup alongside the United States and Canada, have already reached the round of 16 by winning all four of their group-stage matches without conceding a single goal. Under coach Javier Aguirre, they prioritise defensive organisation and often field a narrow front three, relying on full-backs for width. Their centre-back pairing of Johan Vasquez and Cesar Montes — the latter a 6ft 3in dominant presence who scored three times at last year's Gold Cup — has made them "a tough nut to crack," according to the BBC. However, despite scoring eight goals in the group stage, they have often lacked attacking fluency. Their biggest name, striker Raul Jimenez, 35, is in the twilight of his career but has already scored two goals at this tournament after failing to score at the previous three World Cups. He is set to return to Wolves from Fulham this summer.
“England face co-hosts Mexico in the World Cup last 16 at the Estadio Azteca.”
Mexico have a proud history as World Cup hosts. They reached the quarter-finals in both 1970 and 1986, the two previous occasions they staged the tournament. This time, they are also benefiting from altitude and additional recovery time at home. The Estadio Azteca, where this last-16 match will be played, has long been a fortress: the heat, noise and thin air can sap opponents' energy. The team's supporters have been a driving force, with coach Aguirre saying the partisan atmosphere has inspired their run of four straight wins without conceding. Yet this is not a vintage Mexican side. Few players are based in Europe's top five leagues, and the team has been booed in goalless draws against Uruguay and Portugal before the tournament. Their hopes for a new talisman rest on Gilberto Mora, a 17-year-old creative midfielder from Tijuana who became the youngest player in Mexico's World Cup history and the youngest to start a knockout game since Brazilian legend Pele in 1958.
For England, the match represents a stern test of their credentials. They trailed DR Congo for most of their round-of-32 game before Kane's heroics saved them. The defence has been a concern, and they will face a Mexico side that works tirelessly to regain possession and has yet to concede at the tournament. If England can cut off Mexico's passing lanes and disrupt their attacking patterns, the hosts may be short of ideas — but the altitude and home crowd make this one of the toughest draws possible. The match will determine who reaches the quarter-finals, with England aiming to repeat their run to the last eight for the first time since 2006.
Q: Why is Mexico so difficult to play at the Estadio Azteca? The stadium's altitude (over 2,200 metres) and partisan crowd create a challenging environment. The thinner air saps opponents' energy, and Mexico's defensive solidity — they have not conceded a goal in this World Cup — makes them a tough side to break down. Historically, Mexico have reached the quarter-finals both times they hosted the tournament (1970 and 1986).
Q: Who are Mexico's key players? Raul Jimenez, 35, is the experienced striker who scored the equaliser in last year's Gold Cup final against the USA and has two goals in this World Cup. Centre-back Cesar Montes, 29, is a dominant aerial presence and scored three times at last year's Gold Cup. The rising star is Gilberto Mora, 17, the youngest player to start a World Cup knockout game since Pele in 1958.
Q: How did England reach the last 16? England finished second in their group before beating DR Congo 2-1 in the round of 32, with Harry Kane scoring a late brace after his side had trailed for most of the match. The win set up the meeting with Mexico.
The match will take place at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with a date and time yet to be confirmed. The winner will advance to the quarter-finals. England will need to cope with altitude, a hostile crowd, and a compact Mexican defence if they are to keep their World Cup dream alive.