Live coverage and text updates with full build-up and team news ahead from our commentary stream of Mexico vs England.
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Your #ThreeLions to take on Mexico! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/AUh6MgtbTP
— England (@England) July 5, 2026
England manager Thomas Tuchel was asked about the challenge of playing at the Azteca shortly after they won against DR Congo.
“It is maybe one of the most beautiful fixtures, the most exciting fixtures that you can have, to play against Mexico in the Azteca,” Tuchel said.
“And there will be a lot of obstacles waiting for us, not to mention the altitude will be, of course, a big disadvantage because we cannot physically adapt to it in four days. It’s just impossible.”
With the 2026 World Cup being held across the United States, Canada and Mexico, teams have a tight turnaround between games. The England squad travelled to Mexico City on Friday, reaching one day earlier than the norm, but it will not be enough to acclimatise to the unique conditions in the city.
“The recommendation is you either go 10 days before, which is too long for us, or last minute, which is not allowed,” Tuchel added.
England defenders Jarrell Quansah (ankle) and Reece James (hamstring) are out with injuries.
England’s predicted lineup
(4-2-3-1): Pickford; Spence, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane
You can get involved in our live coverage via our poll on X – give it a go:
🇲🇽 Mexico take on 🏴 England in a Round of 16 clash in our featured World Cup 2026 matchup.
Who will win? Vote below 👇
🏆 #FIFAWorldCup
⚽️ LIVE coverage: https://t.co/aMO4xRvKRM
— AJE Sport (@AJE_Sport) July 5, 2026
The mopping up process has began at Mexico City Stadium after the first storm of the day – but will it be the last?
No injury concerns reported in the Mexico camp.
Mexico’s predicted lineup
(4-3-3): Rangel; Sanchez, Montes, Vasquez, Gallardo; Mora, Lira, Romo; Alvardo, Jimenez, Quinones
Ticket prices for the United States’ highly anticipated Round of 16 game against Belgium on Monday plunged by more than 30 percent before rebounding slightly early Saturday evening.
The price for the final 2026 World Cup match in Seattle hit nearly $4,000 on June 1, according to ticket-tracking service TicketData.com. After dipping to as low as $1,549 on Tuesday, the get-in price spiked to $2,836 after the USA solidified their spot in the round of 16 with a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
However, the price has steadily declined since. It dropped to $1,423 on Saturday afternoon – a 32 percent decrease over the past three days – but the price rebounded to $1,635 at 6pm Eastern Time (23:00 GMT).
That late boost pushed the USA-Belgium game from the fourth-highest get-in price to the second-highest price among the eight round of 16 matches. Mexico’s game against England in Mexico City on Sunday was $3,574.
A second goal from Erling Haaland, in the dying stages, set up a 2-1 win for Norway against Brazil.
There was even time for a late Neymar Junior penalty, thereafter, but it was too little too late for the Brazilians.
All the reaction is here.
A shelter-in-place order has been issued ahead of the Mexico vs England World Cup last-16 clash, due to thunderstorms in the area around the Azteca Stadium, FIFA has said.
People working on the pitch have been asked to move into the tunnel, while a message on the stadium screen warned that severe weather was approaching the venue.
Displays outside the venue read: “Thunderstorm activated, please take your seats.”
Fans travelling to the stadium have been seen seeking refuge under bridges and awnings.
Football’s world governing body, FIFA, had considered bringing the match forward but decided to maintain the original kickoff time despite concerns that the weather could force further changes, a source familiar with the discussions told Reuters on Friday.
Local media had also reported that the fixture could be moved to 12:00pm local time (18:00 GMT) because of the weather forecast.
Mexico’s round-of-32 match against Ecuador earlier this week was delayed due to rain.
The World Cup, in case we needed reminding, doesn’t truly get going until the knockout rounds.
No making up for an off day. No second chances. Crank up the intensity. Stale Solbakken apparently got it right – save your starters for the second round.
Seven UEFA teams advanced from the round of 32, among them Solbakken’s Norway, sufficiently rested after basically conceding Group I to France. Cohosts Canada, Mexico and the United States made it three CONCACAF representatives in the round of 16 for the second time, and the first since 2014 (when it was Costa Rica, Mexico, and the US).
Four South American countries got through: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Paraguay.
Paraguay’s methods were un-Solbakken – all-out effort to squeeze through the group stage, followed by a quick turnaround and cross-country fight to meet Germany in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
But La Albirroja had enough left in the tank to become the first team to ever beat Die Mannschaft on penalties at the World Cup.
Read more here.
England’s team were booed on arrival in Mexico for their last-16 clash, and – despite the best efforts of security – the team hotel was also targeted.
Paraguay were heavily criticised for their “dark arts” on the field in France’s 1-0 win on Saturday, and it looks like their South American compatriots may be ready to play the same game.
Mexico fans were kept away from the England team’s hotel in Mexico City ahead of Sunday’s game.
Despite the security cordon keeping them back, they did their best to have a “serenata”, noisy celebrations to try to keep the opposing team awake ahead of the match. pic.twitter.com/UooYXbpnv8
— AJE Sport (@AJE_Sport) July 5, 2026
Yep – you guessed it – Erling Haaland has found the back of the net against Brazil.
The winner faces Mexico or England – join our live coverage here.
On Friday, media reports in the United Kingdom and Mexico said governing body FIFA was planning to move the kickoff at the Azteca Stadium from 6pm local time to midday due to concerns over forecast storms and flooding in Mexico City on Sunday.
But FIFA decided to stick with the scheduled time, as bringing the Mexico vs England game forward would have also meant delaying Brazil vs Norway on the same day in New York/New Jersey.
The pitch in Mexico City sits 2,240 metres (7,350 feet) above sea level. At that altitude, the air is thinner, meaning each breath delivers less oxygen to the body, and the ball travels faster and farther.
By contrast, the Atlanta Stadium, where England beat DR Congo 2-1 on Wednesday, is just over 300 metres (984 feet) above sea level.
Altitude versus attitude, according to former Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio. Mexico City’s 2,240 metres (7,350 feet) of elevation, combined with El Tri’s fast-paced attack, can leave opponents gasping for air.
So far, Mexico has compiled a 4-0-0 record (8-0 goal differential) playing in Guadalajara and Mexico City.
Their possession tactics set the tone, and the forward combination of Raul Jimenez and Colombia-born Julian Quinones is clicking.
Against Mexico, England has compiled a 6W-2L-1D record (including a 2-0 victory at Wembley in the 1966 World Cup).
The Three Lions haven’t won in Mexico City (0-2-1), but then they didn’t have Harry Kane – and their one defeat at the venue required the Hand of God moment from Diego Maradona to propel Argentina on their way.
Thomas Tuchel hoped to minimise the effects of altitude by arriving close to kickoff, while FIFA were considering moving the start time to avoid potential storms.
Read more here.
Catch the latest match highlights, reactions and previews from the FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America:
As forecast, a thunderstorm has hit Mexico City.
The match will not be able to start until 30 minutes after the last flash of lightening has been recorded.
With any luck, the storm may have come early and will blow through.
We’ll keep you updated.
Our first live game of the day comes from the last-16 clash between Brazil and Norway.
The game is approaching half-time with the deadlock yet to be broken, although Brazil have missed a penalty.
Join our coverage by clicking here to review the first-half action.
The winner will face whoever comes out on top in the game between Mexico and England.
Half-time
🇧🇷 Brazil 0 - 0 Norway 🇳🇴
Norway’s Nyland saved a penalty from Guimaraes. Brazil missed their first World Cup penalty in 40 years.
🏆 #FIFAWorldCup
⚽ LIVE updates: https://t.co/pXVSh7uEI8 pic.twitter.com/bW8bgMP3yu
— AJE Sport (@AJE_Sport) July 5, 2026
Hello, welcome and thanks for joining our live coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 last-16 clash between Mexico and England.
Although England are among the favourites to lift the trophy, Mexico have home advantage given the altitude the game will be played at in Mexico City.
The match is under significant threat of serious delays with thunderstorms predicted. A flash of lightning will immediately result in a minimum 20-minute suspension of play.
I’m Kevin Hand, and I’ll bring you all the pre-match build-up, analysis, team news and photo coverage before kickoff.
Rohan Sharma will then take you through our comprehensive minute-by-minute live text commentary.
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