The World Cup has seen its fair share of intense matches and passionate fan bases, but concerns have been raised over the behavior of some Mexican supporters ahead of their last-16 match against England on Sunday.
FIFA has received a complaint about Mexican fans targeting team hotels, with England's squad set to arrive in Mexico City on Friday and spend two nights in the capital before the game at Azteca Stadium on Sunday. The Three Lions will face a 1am BST kickoff on Monday morning, adding to the challenge of dealing with the altitude and the intense atmosphere.
The issue has been raised by Ecuador, who were beaten by Mexico in the round of 32 on Wednesday, after their players were kept awake by Mexican fans outside their hotel the night before the match. From midnight until the early hours of the morning, Mexican supporters gathered outside the Westin Hotel in Mexico City and used car horns, motorcycles, and loudspeakers to disturb the Ecuadorian players.
The Ecuadorian Football Federation has called for greater attention to be paid to these events and for measures to be taken to safeguard the safety of their players, coaching staff, and fans. The incident is seen as a concern for the safety and well-being of teams and their staff during the World Cup.
In a separate development, England manager Thomas Tuchel has expressed concerns about the high altitude of the Azteca Stadium, which is around 7,200ft above sea level. The thinner air at high altitude can make it difficult for players to perform at their best, and Tuchel believes this will be a significant disadvantage for England.
Tuchel noted that Mexico, who are yet to concede a goal at the World Cup, have played all four of their matches at high altitude, and that the altitude will be a big disadvantage for England. He also stated that the team is ready to deal with the challenges that come with playing at high altitude.
The World Cup continues to be a source of excitement and drama, with the last-16 match between England and Mexico set to be an intense and closely watched contest.
