England were booed as they arrived at their Mexico City hotel to prepare for their World Cup last-16 game against Mexico – but that will be far from their main issue in Mexico City. The Three Lions face the tournament co-hosts on Sunday (01:00 BST, Monday), a match which will be shown live on BBC One and iPlayer. There is increased security at England's hotel after Ecuador, whom Mexico played in the last 32 in Mexico City, lodged a noise complaint with Fifa. And Thomas Tuchel's side face further threats from the weather, the altitude and reportedly, even spying.
What is happening is that England, as a visiting team in a World Cup knockout game against a co-host, are encountering a range of hostile conditions designed to unsettle them. Before the last round, Ecuador players were deliberately kept awake by local supporters, who used loudspeakers, horns and motorcycles outside the team hotel late at night. Ecuador stayed in the Westin Hotel and England wanted to keep their whereabouts undisclosed, but there were concerns that the location would be leaked. Hundreds of locals were waiting outside their hotel as the England team coach arrived on Friday, with some chanting "Mexico" and others booing. Members of Mexico's National Guard lined the entrance to England's hotel, while police officers in riot gear stood next to barriers on the road outside the hotel.
“Explains the hostile crowd, altitude, security, and weather issues England face at the World Cup.”
This kind of disruption is not new in World Cup history, especially when a host nation faces a high-profile opponent. The altitude in Mexico City – the Azteca Stadium is 2,240m above sea level – adds a physical challenge. Some people struggle to sleep at higher altitudes, and England's players and staff will be offered natural sleep remedies or white noise machines to try to avoid sleep disruption from potential overnight noise. Some are likely to bring their own ear plugs or sleep bands. England attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers said: "I won't be happy if it wakes me up – I'll be honest. We'll see how it goes but we'll deal with it as best as possible. It's just another obstacle to overcome but we're ready."
For UK readers, this matters because the team's progress in the tournament – and the prospect of a potential quarter-final against Brazil – could be influenced by these off-field factors. The British government's decision to allow pubs to stay open for the 1am BST kick-off means fans at home will also be affected by the late start. The kick-off time itself was nearly changed: reports emerged just over 48 hours before the scheduled 1am BST kick-off that it would be brought forward due to forecasted thunderstorms. There was anger from both camps at such a suggestion, with FIFA subsequently completing a U-turn on the proposal, so the knockout tie will get underway at the originally scheduled time.
Q: Why are England being booed and treated with hostility in Mexico? A: Mexico is a co-host nation, and their fans are creating a hostile atmosphere to disrupt England before their last-16 match. Similar tactics were used against Ecuador, whose players were kept awake by noise outside their hotel.
Q: How does the altitude in Mexico City affect football players? A: The Azteca Stadium is 2,240m above sea level, which can cause fatigue and shortness of breath because the air is thinner. Some players also struggle to sleep at high altitudes, compounding the noise disruption.
Q: Did FIFA try to change the kick-off time for England vs Mexico? A: Yes, FIFA briefly considered moving the match six hours earlier due to forecast thunderstorms, but after backlash from both teams, they reversed the decision and the game will kick off at the originally scheduled 1am BST.
What happens next: The last-16 tie between England and Mexico takes place at the Azteca Stadium on Sunday, with a 1am BST kick-off on Monday. If England win, they will face Brazil in the quarter-finals. The match will be broadcast live on BBC One and iPlayer.