2026-07-03 16:31:07
England face one of their toughest tests of the 2026 World Cup on Monday night – not just because of Mexico, but because of the unique demands of playing more than 2,200 metres above sea level at the iconic Estadio Azteca.
Thomas Tuchel’s side will attempt to reach the quarter-finals on July 4 in conditions long regarded as one of international football’s greatest natural advantages, with the Germany-born coach acknowledging the altitude presents a significant challenge for his squad.
The match comes as England continue their bid to win a first World Cup since 1966, following successive European Championship finals under Gareth Southgate before Tuchel took charge, and after reaching the knockout stages with victory over DR Congo.
The last-16 tie will be played at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, which sits approximately 2,240 metres above sea level – making it one of the highest-profile international football venues in the world.
By comparison, The Hawthorns, home of West Bromwich Albion, is England’s highest league stadium at around 168 metres above sea level.
Mexico have built a formidable record at the Azteca, losing only two of their previous 89 internationals there, with the thin air creating conditions unfamiliar to most European teams.
England have been preparing for the possibility since the World Cup draw in December, although their training base in Kansas City is more than 1,600 miles away and offers no comparable conditions.
The Football Association has also consulted the Rugby Football Union and Team GB performance specialists as part of its preparations.
Thomas Tuchel said about the upcoming conditions: “The ball will fly differently. It will fly maybe five yards more. It’s just difficult.”
He added: “The recommendation is you either go 10 days before – which is too long for us – or last minute, which is not allowed.
“Some teams say they travel very late on match day if they don’t have time to adapt. It will stay as a disadvantage.”
England’s players, including Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice, will have to contend with significantly lower oxygen levels than they experience during domestic football.
At higher altitudes, lower atmospheric pressure means less oxygen reaches the bloodstream, increasing fatigue while making recovery between sprints considerably more difficult.
Former Mexico captain Pavel Pardo, whose former club Club América played at the Azteca, warned visiting teams about the challenge.
He said: “As an opponent, you know when you go there, you’re going to suffer.”
Former England midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker experienced those conditions while playing for Montreal Impact in the 2015 CONCACAF Champions League final.
Nigel said: “It’s the most physically demanding place I ever played football.
“To come from Europe and play in that altitude is so difficult. You cannot catch your breath. The first 45 to 55 minutes you’re literally just trying to keep breathing.
“It’s about football intelligence – you have to pick and choose the moments where you exert yourself.”
England have experienced the Azteca before.
Their last appearance at the stadium came during the 1986 World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina, remembered for Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal and his celebrated solo effort later in the same match.
Elsewhere, preparations for playing at altitude have increasingly become part of elite sport.
England’s rugby union squad recently travelled early to Johannesburg ahead of facing South Africa at Ellis Park, which stands around 1,753 metres above sea level.
Strength and conditioning coach Nathan Beardsley explained the physical effects.
Nathan said: “In a rugby scenario, it’s the breathlessness. You’re trying to get your breath back.
“Players might have repeated bouts of defending their try line or attacking the opposition line. When you do those repeated efforts in England, the oxygen is there and you can breathe. At altitude, that’s more difficult.”
Veteran England rugby captain Jamie George also reflected on previous preparations.
Jamie was quoted in The Sun saying: “Our philosophy as a team was that it was a mindset, but there’s proof that there’s more to it.
“We’re here long enough to make sure it’s not a problem this time.”
Tuchel added England had sought advice from multiple organisations before the tournament.
He said: “We did our homework. Team GB was a part of it. The FA did it for me and gave me all the info.”
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