England manager Thomas Tuchel has brushed aside fears over hostile treatment in Mexico City, describing the reception from home supporters as “friendly and respectful.”
Tuchel’s side face Mexico in a World Cup last-16 tie on Sunday, with kick-off set for 18:00 local time, broadcast live on BBC One, iPlayer and Radio 5 Live.
The England squad departed their hotel for a training session on Saturday to a mixed reception from local fans, all under noticeably enhanced security arrangements.
Ecuador, who were beaten 2-0 by Mexico in the last 32, previously lodged a formal noise complaint with Fifa after supporters with loudspeakers, motorbikes and horns disturbed their sleep.
In response to that complaint, members of Mexico’s National Guard are now stationed at the entrance to England’s hotel, with riot police also positioned behind barriers on the road outside.
Any Mexico fans attempting to approach the hotel are being moved on swiftly by officers on duty.
“We had no issues tonight and I think Fifa took care of the situation,” Tuchel said, adding that enhanced security meant the squad were expecting a solid night’s rest before the game.
The Germany-born coach was equally dismissive of the kick-off chaos, after Fifa briefly considered moving the match six hours forward to 12:00 local time before reversing that decision entirely.
“Inside the bubble it was quite calm,” Tuchel said. “The players were not aware there was a possible change of kick-off. Just this example shows you to not lose your head – we cannot influence it.”
Altitude at the iconic Estadio Azteca has emerged as another major concern, with the famous venue sitting 7,220 feet above sea level, where thinner air means less oxygen reaches the bloodstream with every breath.
Tuchel admitted he personally felt the effects after arriving in Mexico City on Saturday evening, revealing he experienced a slight headache and disrupted sleep during his first night.
“We feel it even if we don’t train,” he said. “I felt a slight headache through the day. I didn’t sleep as well as the days before but nothing you cannot handle and that you cannot adapt.”
The England boss noted that players also struggled during the opening stages of Saturday’s training session before gradually finding their rhythm as the session progressed.
“It is not a coincidence Mexico starts their matches strong and aggressively as the first 15 to 20 minutes maybe the tougher,” Tuchel said. “Once we overcome that, I think we are in a good place.”
Despite the logistical challenges and physical difficulties of altitude, Tuchel spoke enthusiastically about the atmosphere he encountered upon landing in Mexico City.
“It just catches you straight away once you land here and saw the excitement and the emotions,” he said, describing Sunday’s fixture as a match on a truly iconic stage.
“This will be a proper World Cup match. We are in an iconic place, an iconic stadium and a massive knockout game. It is a big stage and we feel it. It makes you sharper and brings the best out of you.”
Tuchel concluded with a defiant message about England’s collective spirit, insisting the squad had the resolve to handle every challenge thrown at them in Mexico City.
“Altitude: it is what it is. Home crowd: it is what it is. We have the spirit, we have the commitment, we have the pure will and the glue in the team to overcome these things. We know what is coming. But that is the beauty of it.”
