England face Mexico at Azteca with altitude and weather in focus
FIFA kept the World Cup knockout match at its scheduled Mexico City kickoff despite weather concerns, leaving England to handle the Azteca’s thin air.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
England will play Mexico in the World Cup round of 16 at the Azteca Stadium on Sunday evening, with the buildup dominated by Mexico City’s altitude and the threat of storms. The conditions matter because England have only a short window to adjust before facing a Mexico side used to the venue.
Al Jazeera reported that kickoff remains set for 6pm Sunday in Mexico City, which is 1am Monday in London and 00:00 GMT. FIFA had considered an earlier start after media reports in the United Kingdom and Mexico cited forecasts for storms and flooding, according to Al Jazeera, but the governing body kept the original schedule.
Moving the match to midday would also have required changes to Brazil’s game against Norway in New York/New Jersey on the same day, Al Jazeera reported.
Azteca gives Mexico a familiar edge
The Azteca, with a capacity of about 80,000, is Latin America’s largest stadium and one of Mexico’s strongest home venues, according to Al Jazeera. Mexico have lost only two of 89 competitive matches there.
Stats provider Opta said Mexico are unbeaten in their past 22 competitive games at the stadium, with 16 wins and six draws, though it also noted those opponents had an average FIFA ranking of 57.
The stadium has added history for England. Al Jazeera noted that England have not played there since the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal, when Argentina won 2-1 in a match remembered for Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal.
Thin air changes the game
The pitch sits 2,240 metres, or 7,350 feet, above sea level, according to Al Jazeera. At that height, players take in less oxygen with each breath, while the ball can move faster and travel farther because the air is thinner.
England’s previous match was in Atlanta, where the stadium is just over 300 metres above sea level, Al Jazeera reported. England beat DR Congo 2-1 there to reach the last 16.
England manager Thomas Tuchel said after that win that playing Mexico at the Azteca was one of the most exciting fixtures England could face, but he also described the altitude as a clear problem. Tuchel said England could not adapt physically in four days and called that “impossible,” according to Al Jazeera.
Tuchel said teams are usually advised either to arrive about 10 days before playing at altitude or to arrive at the last minute, but neither option worked for England’s schedule. Al Jazeera reported that England travelled to Mexico City on Friday, a day earlier than usual for the tournament schedule.
Al Jazeera reported that altitude can raise heart rate, cause shortness of breath, increase dehydration risk, speed up fatigue and slow recovery. Goalkeepers may also face difficulty judging the movement of shots and crosses.
Tuchel said the ball could travel around five yards more than usual in the thinner air, according to Al Jazeera.
England look for control
Mexico have already played three of their four World Cup matches at the Azteca and won all three, beating South Africa, Czechia and Ecuador, according to Al Jazeera. That gives the cohosts a practical advantage before the knockout tie.
England forward Marcus Rashford played down the idea that the setting would decide the match. Rashford said England had played in different environments since childhood and had to work together to reach their best level, according to Al Jazeera.
Al Jazeera suggested England could slow the tempo, keep possession and choose pressing moments carefully to conserve energy in the conditions.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.