England manager reveals his Mexico fear: “a big disadvantage, it’s impossible”
Speaking after the win over DR Congo, England manager Thomas Tuchel revealed that the game against Mexico will have a lot of “obstacles” to overcome.
“I’m trying”, Tuchel said when asked about the enjoyment of overcoming DR Congo in the World Cup Round of 32. It was back in 1966 when England last came back from a losing position at the tournament to win a game. On that occasion, they came back against West Germany to win the trophy.
So you’d think the enjoyment was there. But there was something else. Fear. Fear of the Mexicans.
England now face the nauseating task of travelling to Ciudad de México to take on the cohost nation at Estadio Azteca, one of football cathedrals. Not only will it be filled with over 87,000 home fans, but also the stadium sits at 7,000ft above sea level, meaning the squad are in a race against time to acclimatise for the game.
And breathe. On we go at the @FIFAWorldCup! pic.twitter.com/jlBpurxKug
— England (@England) July 1, 2026
Mexico vs England “one of the most beautiful fixtures” in football
“It is maybe one of the most beautiful fixtures, most exciting fixtures than you can have,” he managed to squeeze out.
Tuchel said there will be “a lot, a lot of obstacles waiting for us” at the Azteca, “not to mention the altitude, which will be big disadvantage.”
He admitted that England simply “cannot physically adapt to it in four days,” adding that is is “just impossible and more obstacles will maybe come.”
Those obstacles he refers to might be the 87,000 souls in the stands, who certainly played their part as Mexico crushed Ecuador like a paper cup in the previous round. On the night before the game, a number of Mexico fans decided to have something of a party outside the Ecuador team hotel, complete with John Bonham’s drum kit, Guy Fawkes’ fireworks collection, and more whistling than a gaggle of nervous turkeys.
“I’m not sure if the travel will be smooth, if the sleep will be smooth, if there’s noise outside the hotel,” Tuchel said. “OK, bring it on. It’s a very beautiful and exciting fixture. There will be lots of obstacles but this team will be ready whatever it takes.”
“But we are ready for that,” he said. “We have the ideal platform now to genuinely believe that we are ready for that, and when the going gets tough, that we will find the answers.”
Thomas Tuchel wants the kids to skip school 😂#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/znkkKxny5Z
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 1, 2026
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