Mexico and England will face off for one of the most keenly anticipated round-of-16 ties at the 2026 Fifa World Cup, as they meet at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on the morning of Monday, 6 July. Kick-off at 2am CAT.
FORM AND TEAM NEWS
Mexico earned their place in the second knockout round thanks to an impressive 2-0 win over Ecuador in Mexico City on Wednesday, featuring first-half goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez.
El Tri had earlier finished top of group A after racking up three successive wins over South Africa (2-0), South Korea (1-0) and Czechia (3-0). Javier Aguirre’s side are brimming with confidence after securing a seven-match winning streak, which includes pre-tournament triumphs over Ghana, Australia and Serbia.
The tournament co-hosts will monitor the fitness of Quinones, who was substituted against Ecuador in the 80th minute and appeared to be carrying a knock.
England, meanwhile, needed two late goals from Harry Kane to avoid an upset in their round-of-32 clash against DR Congo on Wednesday, as they came from behind to win 2-1.
The Three Lions earlier topped group L with a 4-2 win over Croatia, a 0-0 draw with Ghana, and a 2-0 win over Panama. Thomas Tuchel’s team have generally struggled to find fluidity in attack (apart from the Croatia game), but in the likes of Kane and Jude Bellingham, they have world-class attackers who can turn a game in the blink of an eye.
England are juggling several injuries and team selection issues. Right-back is a major area of concern after Jarell Quansah and Reece James missed the match against DRC due to injury, while Djed Spence did not convince in the role. There is also a worry over Declan Rice, who has been managing multiple injury issues and limped off late against the Leopards.
WHAT THE TEAMS ARE SAYING
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre
“It is a group that deserves what is happening with these World Cup matches. We are among the best 16 teams. We are a family, even those who do not play; it is a spectacular group. We played good football; they had to chase the game. Where I was dissatisfied was with the counters; they could have killed the party, but, above all, the Mexican people deserve this."
England coach Thomas Tuchel
“It is maybe one of the most beautiful fixtures, the most exciting fixtures that you can have. We play against Mexico in the Azteca. The altitude will be, of course, a big disadvantage because we cannot physically adapt to it in four days. It's just impossible. More obstacles may come, but we are ready for that. We need it. Maybe we have the ideal platform now to genuinely believe that we are ready for that. When the going gets tough, we will find the answers."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Mexico – Julian Quinones
Provided he is fit to start, Quinones will form part of an outstanding front three for Mexico alongside Roberto Alvarado and Raul Jimenez. Their movement, pressing and creativity will give England’s defence a thorough test.
England – Harry Kane
The Three Lions’ No 9 is enjoying the best season of his career, with his two goals against DR Congo further underlining how fundamental he remains to his nation’s hopes of winning the World Cup for the first time in 60 years.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Mexico and England have met in nine previous matches, with the Three Lions claiming six wins compared to two for El Tri, while one game was drawn. England defeated Mexico 2-0 in the teams’ only previous World Cup meeting (in the group stage in 1966), while their most recent match was a friendly in London in May 2010, which the Three Lions won 3-1.
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