Hundreds of Mexican fans gathered outside England’s hotel in Mexico City on Saturday night, setting off fireworks and playing loud music in a desperate bid to disrupt the players’ sleep before Sunday’s World Cup last-16 tie. But the noisy late-night siege appeared to backfire: rather than intimidating the England squad, the spectacle was described as “amusing rather than intimidating” by those inside the hotel, with the team’s security team insisting it had “little to no impact”.
Thomas Tuchel, the England head coach, shrugged off any suggestion of a problem. “We had no issues tonight and I think Fifa took care of the situation,” he said. “We have security around the hotel so we expect a good night’s sleep.” The German was speaking after Fifa set up roadblocks around the hotel, closing off the road and pushing fans 300 metres away. Members of Mexico’s National Guard lined the entrance, while police in riot gear stood behind barriers. Any fan attempting to get close was moved on. When GB News asked police if they would arrest fans setting off fireworks, they appeared to say no and refused to engage.
“Mexican fans fired fireworks outside England's hotel, but Tuchel said it was 'nicer than expected' and security kept players calm.”
The disruption came as England prepared to face co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca — a stadium 7,220ft above sea level, where thinner air can cause shortness of breath and dehydration. The match kicks off at 18:00 local time (01:00 BST Monday, live on BBC One). Fans had earlier booed the England team as they left their hotel for training under enhanced security measures, but Tuchel insisted the reception had been warmer than expected. “What I experienced until now was very respectful and emotional and very supportive towards our teams,” he said. “It was even nicer than I expected.”
The Football Association had hoped to keep the team’s location secret, but local supporters found the site anyway. Ecuador, beaten 2-0 by Mexico in the last 32, had already lodged a noise complaint with Fifa after fans with loudspeakers, motorbikes and horns disrupted their sleep. As a result, 17,000 police officers are on duty in Mexico City for what has been called the “biggest operation ever seen for an England football match”.
Tuchel, however, remained unfazed. “I don’t want to talk about problems that don’t exist yet,” he said. “If they come, we will accept them. The best way to approach is to be relaxed and calm.” He acknowledged the magnitude of the occasion: “This will be a proper World Cup match. We are in an iconic place, an iconic stadium and a massive knockout game. It makes you sharper and brings the best out of you.”