The England team is already thinking about the duel against the Mexico team in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, and its coach, Thomas Tuchel, recognized that the altitude of the Azteca Stadium will be one of the main challenges for his team.

The German strategist admitted that the 2,240 meters above sea level of Mexico City represent a disadvantage for the Three Lions, since the short time between matches makes a complete physical adaptation impossible.

Thomas Tuchel recognizes the challenge of playing for Azteca

After England's comeback against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Thomas Tuchel assured that he has not yet begun to fully prepare for the match against Mexico, although he acknowledged that it will be one of the most attractive matches of the tournament.

"Not yet (I have thought about it). I just came out of this match and I try to enjoy it, but it is perhaps one of the most beautiful and exciting matches that can be played; against Mexico at the Azteca," he explained to the press.

The coach avoided referring to the precedent of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, when Diego Armando Maradona eliminated England in that same stadium with the remembered goals of the “Hand of God” and the so-called “Goal of the Century.”

The altitude worries the English coach

Beyond the atmosphere he expects in the Mexican capital, Tuchel made it clear that the main concern is the effect of height on the physical performance of his players.

"Many obstacles await us. Not to mention the altitude, which of course will be a great disadvantage, since it is impossible to physically adapt to it in just four days. And more obstacles will surely arise, but we are prepared for it," he said.

The England team will play the match against Mexico on July 5 in one of the most emblematic venues in world football.

England's height numbers are not encouraging

The statistics support Thomas Tuchel's concern.

In the World Cups, England has played 11 matches at venues located more than 750 meters above sea level, with a record of just three wins, two draws and six losses.

During the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, the English played in Guadalajara, León and the then Mexico City. Although they made it through the group stage, they were eliminated by West Germany in León.

In Mexico 1986, they advanced to the quarterfinals, but were eliminated precisely at the Azteca Stadium, where they lost 2-1 against Argentina.

The most recent history was not positive either. In South Africa 2010, England tied with the United States and then was beaten by Germany in a high-altitude venue. In Brazil 2014, they tied with Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte and lost to Uruguay in São Paulo.

Tuchel highlights the character of his team

The coach also appreciated England's reaction after coming back from behind against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a victory that broke a long streak without winning a knockout match in a World Cup after conceding the first goal.

“That is a good sign, very good,” he said.

The coach highlighted that the comeback was the product of “the level of determination, and the level of faith, and concentration” shown by his players.

Harry Kane will continue to be the leader of the attack

Asked about the offensive dependence on Harry Kane, scorer of the two goals in the English classification, Tuchel made it clear that he is not contemplating modifying his scheme without his captain.

"If a few more minutes had passed without us achieving an equalizer, we would certainly have brought on a second striker. Of course, there is the idea of ​​using Ollie (Watkins) or Ivan (Toney), but the plan is not to play without Harry (Kane)," he explained.

With Thomas Tuchel's warning about the altitude and an unfavorable background in this type of scenario, the England team will enter the duel against the Mexico team with an additional challenge that could become an important factor in the fight for a place in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup.