With one of the 2026 World Cup co-hosts, Canada, out of the tournament, England will be looking to eliminate another, Mexico, in this evening’s Round of 16 tie at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

It may come as a surprise to some but this will be only the second time that England and Mexico have met in official competition. The first was 60 years ago at the 1966 World Cup. All of their other encounters have been friendlies, with England coming out on top in the overall balance.

England and Mexico have crossed paths nine times in total, with the Three Lions winning six, Mexico winning two and one game ending in a draw. Of those nine games, four were played in London at Wembley and two at the Azteca - the venue where they meet again, this time for a place in the quarter finals.

Sir Bobby and Sir Bobby

Two of those games stand out for different reasons. Mexico were thrashed 8:0 in a friendly at Wembley in May 1961 with Bobby Charlton finishing with a hat trick and future England manager Bobby Robson also on the scoresheet with what would be his last goal at international level. It remains Mexico’s heaviest defeat in official and unofficial competition.

Swinging London watches England crowned champions

The other notable meeting was during the group stage of the 1966 World Cup held in England. A crowd of over 92,000 packed Wembley on a sweltering Saturday afternoon to watch the hosts’ second group outing. Both had drawn their respective openers and needed a win to have any chance of advancing from the group.

After relentlessly pounding Nacho Calderón’s goal, and Martin Peters seeing his headed goal disallowed, the deadlock was broken on 37 minutes when Bobby Charlton unleashed one of his trademark rocket shots from 25+yards out. Roger Hunt slotted in number two on 75 minutes after the keeper fumbled. A win which left England top of the group on goal difference. Mexico were out after drawing their final group game against Uruguay.

Alf Ramsey’s England went on to famously lift the trophy - the nation’s only World Cup triumph. Mexico meanwhile are still waiting - El Tri have never made it as far as the final. So let’s briefly look at how both teams have fared at the World Cup.

England have made a total of 17 appearances, making it past the group stage 11 times. Apart from the 1966 edition when they were crowned champions, England have reached the quarter finals nine times and finished in fourth place twice (1990 and 2018).

Mexico meanwhile have starred in 18 editions since making their debut in 1930. El Tri failed to qualify in 1934, 1974 and 1982 and were banned from taking part in 1990 as punishment for the Cachirules scandal.

Heartache on home soil

Mexico’s World Cup record isn’t great but at least they have been consistent. The team has made it past the group stage nine times and reached the quarter finals twice - both times on home soil.

In 1970, they were beaten 4-1 by Italy and in 1986 when they staged the tournament, they suffered a painful defeat in the penalty shootout to West Germany. Among the players on the pitch that day was current coach Javier Aguirre.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.