{"id":38042,"date":"2026-07-02T23:39:24","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T23:39:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/02\/thomas-tuchel-warns-of-serious-problems-in-mexico-as-fifa-rules-leave-england-helpless\/"},"modified":"2026-07-02T23:39:24","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T23:39:24","slug":"thomas-tuchel-warns-of-serious-problems-in-mexico-as-fifa-rules-leave-england-helpless","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/02\/thomas-tuchel-warns-of-serious-problems-in-mexico-as-fifa-rules-leave-england-helpless\/","title":{"rendered":"Thomas Tuchel warns of serious problems in Mexico as FIFA rules leave England helpless"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Manager Thomas Tuchel has warned that Mexico will have a “huge advantage” over England in their World Cup showdown.<\/p>\n
Both teams, who are co-hosts, boast a formidable record with just two defeats in 89 competitive matches played in Mexico City at the Azteca Stadium. Mexico has already defeated South Africa, South Korea, the Czech Republic and Ecuador without conceding a goal in this tournament.<\/p>\n
Their location at 7,200 feet above sea level means they will have overwhelming home support, which will be a big challenge for Tuchel’s side. If England can perform well at altitude in a match that kicks off at midnight on home soil, it will go down as one of England’s greatest achievements in a foreign land.<\/p>\n
Asked if it was unfair because Mexico are clearly used to the high altitude, giving their opponents little time to adjust, Tuchel said: “Yes, it’s a big advantage.”<\/p>\n
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There are no set FIFA rules for when teams should arrive at Azteca, but sports science suggests that the optimal time at high altitude without negative effects is just six hours. But then it’s between 18 and 24 hours.<\/p>\n
However, that option is not available to England as their FIFA do INSIST opponent teams will be in the city for at least 24 hours. The England squad is therefore scheduled to depart for Mexico City on Friday evening.<\/p>\n
The Football Association believes that the first night at high altitude affects sleep, so two nights at high altitude will ensure at least one night of adequate sleep before the match. Studies have shown that the time limit before serious side effects appear is 48 hours. England will be in Mexico City for just under 48 hours before kick-off. High altitude wilts even elite athletes, saps their energy, deprives them of oxygen, and changes the flight of the ball in thin air.<\/p>\n
Tuchel said the FA had taken expert advice, worked with the British Olympic Association and also talked to other sports to get the best science and opinion on how to prepare.<\/p>\n
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Britain’s Harry Kane and Britain’s Declan Rice after the victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo (Image: 2026 Ian MacNicol)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Tuchel said: “We’re going to go early one night. It makes sense. The flight of the ball will be different. It’ll probably fly five yards. It’s just difficult. You just need experience. The recommendation is either to go 10 days early, or that’s too long for us, but go last minute. That’s not allowed.”<\/p>\n
“We’ve talked to teams that are doing that and they’re saying if they don’t have time to adapt, they’ll move very late on game day. Find a mixture in between. That remains as a disadvantage.”<\/p>\n
“We’ve done our homework, Team GB was part of it, all the experts. The FA have done it for me, they’ve given me all the information. It’s going to be different, but I think it will happen automatically. I think so.”<\/p>\n
“We’re going to adapt to what’s going on out there. The heat and humidity won’t be the biggest problem for us. We’ve stored a lot of heat in our bodies. I think if it’s really, really hot it could take the intensity out of the game.”<\/p>\n
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Mexico has yet to concede a goal in the finals (Image: 2026 Jam Media)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Mexico got off to a quick start and overwhelmed Ecuador in the first knockout tie, but with the crowd behind them, it was too much for them.<\/p>\n
England will face a huge task of winning, but he recalled watching the 1986 World Cup as a child and said the Azteca would always remain an “iconic stadium”.<\/p>\n
Tuchel said: “I remember something hanging in the center of the Aztecs and it never moved. It was like the ball was hanging, the sun was very steep and the shadow was always in the middle. What year was it? 1986? Germany played in the final.<\/p>\n
“It’s an iconic stadium. I remember the coffee table books from there and the pictures with the flags and everything. I’m so excited to be playing this game.”<\/p>\n
“It’s an iconic game to play in Mexico against Mexico. You’re going to be up against the whole country, the energy of the whole stadium of the country.”<\/p>\nContent cannot be displayed without consent<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Analysis: Why Mexico are favorites against England<\/h3>\n
England’s reward for reaching the round of 32 is a formidable encounter with Mexico on their own grounds. “Mexico have played 89 competitive games with the Aztecs and have only lost twice, with 70 wins and 17 draws,” head coach John Cross said on the Make Football Great Again podcast.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet me be clear: England, who watched the game against Mexico in Ecuador, are without a doubt the better people, but I think England will counter that: the specter of the Aztecs, the fear factor, everything that comes with it, the altitude, the lack of preparation.<\/p>\n
“If England can win the last-16 tie with Mexico in Mexico City, it would be one of the biggest achievements by the English football team. It would be really, really something of that magnitude, to be honest.”<\/p>\n
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![\"England's](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37378700.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2284216437-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"Mexico](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37378710.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2284193444.jpg\")
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