England head coach, Thomas Tuchel, says his players will not have enough time to adapt to Mexico City’s high altitude before facing Mexico in the last 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
England secured their place in the knockout stage after Harry Kane scored twice in a comeback victory over DR Congo.
They will face co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium on Monday, July 6 (01:00 BST).
The Azteca Stadium sits around 7,200 feet (2,200 metres) above sea level, where thinner air reduces oxygen intake and can affect athletic performance.
Altitude challenge awaits England
Tuchel admitted England would be unable to fully acclimatise before the match because of the limited time between fixtures.
“The altitude will be a big disadvantage because we cannot physically adapt to it,” he said.
“It just takes too much time. We have only three days in between these matches. It’s physically just not possible to adapt to the altitude.”
Research suggests athletes often need one to two weeks at high altitude to acclimatise, but England are expected to arrive in Mexico City only two days before the match.
Tuchel highlights Mexico’s ‘advantage’
Tuchel admitted England would be unable to fully acclimatise before the match because of the limited time between fixtures.
“The altitude will be a big disadvantage because we cannot physically adapt to it,” he said.
“It just takes too much time. We have only three days in between these matches. It’s physically just not possible to adapt to the altitude.”
ALSO READ: World Cup: Hydration breaks disrupt football matches — Tuchel
Mexico have already played all four of their World Cup matches at altitude, including three at the Azteca Stadium and one in Guadalajara, which sits about 5,000 feet above sea level.
“That is just a huge advantage that Mexico will have,” Tuchel added.
“More obstacles may come, but we are ready for that.
“This is just something with which we will have to deal. And I think we showed the attitude that we are ready for that.”
No concern over pressure
Despite England’s long wait to win another World Cup since their 1966 triumph, Tuchel rejected suggestions that the pressure of expectation affected his team’s performance against DR Congo.
“I did not see any of that,” he said.
“It would be so easy to give in and to accept that narrative. I didn’t see any of that, and that is a very, very good sign.”
Message for young supporters
With the last-16 tie kicking off at 01:00 BST, Tuchel encouraged parents to let their children stay up to watch the match.
“Write an excuse for school and let them watch,” he said.
“There’s so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch. There will be a big match in four days, and we need the support of everyone, especially the children.”
