Thomas Tuchel has admitted England will be at a major disadvantage when they face Mexico in the World Cup last 16, because the Azteca Stadium’s altitude makes it physically impossible for his players to acclimatise in time. The historic 87,523-capacity stadium in Mexico City sits 2,240 metres (about 7,200ft) above sea level, where the thinner air reduces oxygen intake – a brutal challenge for athletes.
England booked their trip to the Azteca after Harry Kane’s double secured a 2-1 comeback victory over DR Congo in Atlanta. But the celebrations were tempered by the looming obstacle. “The altitude will be a big disadvantage because we cannot physically adapt to it,” Tuchel said. “It just takes too much time. We have only three days in between these matches. It’s physically just not possible to adapt to the altitude.”
“Tuchel says England cannot adapt to Azteca altitude before Mexico World Cup last-16 tie.”
Research suggests athletes should spend one to two weeks living at altitude to generate more red blood cells, but England will arrive in Mexico City only two days before the match. Mexico, by contrast, have played all four of their World Cup games at high altitude – three at the Azteca and one in Guadalajara, which is around 5,000ft above sea level. They have won every match without conceding a goal, and have lost just twice in 89 competitive games at the Azteca.
“That is just a huge advantage that Mexico will have,” Tuchel added. “More obstacles may come, but we are ready for that. This is just something with which we will have to deal. And I think we showed the attitude that we are ready for that.”
England’s match against Mexico kicks off at 01:00 BST on Monday 6 July, broadcast live across BBC TV, radio and online. Tuchel dismissed suggestions that the weight of history – England’s only World Cup win came 60 years ago – affected his side’s performance against DR Congo. “I did not see any of that,” he said. “It would be so easy to give in and to accept that narrative. I didn’t see any of that, and that is a very, very good sign.”
Now, England must overcome not just a formidable opponent, but the air itself.