Thomas Tuchel’s side face their toughest test yet at the World Cup as they take on Mexico for a place in the quarter-finals

England hope to keep their World Cup dream alive as they face tournament co-hosts Mexico in the Round of 16 on Sunday.

After opening the tournament with an impressive 4-2 win against Croatia, Thomas Tuchel’s side have been less than convincing in their performances since. A goalless draw with Ghana and a second-half surge to beat Panama saw the Three Lions ultimately top their group, but they failed to impress again against DR Congo, despite coming back from a goal down to win 2-1.

A meeting with Mexico in their capital city is undoubtedly the toughest task yet for Tuchel’s men, and for more reasons than one.

The co-hosts have won all four of their tournament fixtures so far, scoring eight goals and conceding none.

They are also unbeaten in their last 26 competitive matches and, astonishingly, have lost just two of the 89 competitive matches they have played at the Azteca Stadium – the venue for their clash with England – over the last 60 years.

Much has been made of the Mexicans’ incredible home record prior to kick-off, with the location of stadium itself putting their opponents at a major disadvantage.

The Azteca sits at 2,240 metres (7,220 feet) above sea level, with the altitude set to play a major role in determining a winner on Sunday night/Monday morning.

England arrived in Mexico City on Friday evening, giving them just 48 hours to adjust to the conditions that will await them at the Azteca. Generally, sports scientists recommend that athletes performing at altitude should undergo an extended acclimation period of at least two weeks.

In terms of how it will actually affect Tuchel’s team, the higher altitude means that the air is thinner and the barometric pressure lower, making it harder for oxygen to enter the bloodstream with each intake of breath.

Players are therefore expected to feel tired more quickly, while they will also experience greater energy depletion in their muscles.

“By 2,240m we’re definitely going to be seeing a physiological effect,” Dr Neil Maxwell, who is an expert in applied environmental physiology at the University of Brighton, told the Guardian.

“The forcing function of that [barometric] pressure, pushing the oxygen into your red blood cells, is reduced [at altitude]. And that’s the physiological challenge – they’re not getting the oxygen into the red blood cells.

“Because of that, their heart is having to beat quicker, they’re having to ventilate quicker to try and compensate. But obviously, there’s a limit to how much they can do that.”

On the impact that playing in the conditions over the course of 90 minutes will have, Dr Maxwell added: “The feeling that they may feel at the end, or towards the last quarter, of a match, they’re going to be feeling that in the first half.”

The last-16 clash kicks off at 1am Monday BST (6pm local time), after it emerged on Friday night that FIFA had considered bringing the game forward by several hours. However, it could still be delayed with heavy thunderstorms forecast for the area at that time.

Thunder and lightning near the Azteca Stadium has caused England’s last-16 World Cup knockout clash against Mexico to be delayed

England’s last-16 World Cup clash against Mexico has been delayed an hour due to thunder and lightning near the Azteca Stadium. The match was due to kick off at 1am UK time (6pm local time), but with the threat of lightning in the area, the stadium activated its thunderstorm protocol less than an hour before then, and the game will now commence at 2am UK time (7pm local time).

A statement from FIFA confirmed: “Due to adverse weather conditions in Mexico City, including risk caused by lightning in the vicinity of the stadium, the kick-off of the World Cup 2026 round of 16 match between Mexico and England has been delayed to 19.00 local time (21:00 EDT). The safety and security of all individuals is Fifa’s priority. We thank all fans for their understanding and cooperation.”

The screens inside the Azteca Stadium displayed a message warning supporters about potentially severe weather. FIFA had told both teams to delay their arrivals at the stadium, but both Mexico and England still arrived at 11.30pm UK time.

The delay is another challenge for England to deal with ahead of a crunch match, where they have to battle Mexico’s home advantage and the altitude. But captain Harry Kane revealed the mood in the camp is one of excitement.

“This is as big as it gets, in a World Cup situation, a massive game, against a tough opponent,” he told the BBC.

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“We’re ready. We can’t wait to get out there. It’s been a good [reaction to us], they’re excited for the game, it’s not been hostile at all, a great occasion. They’re excited for it.”

Reacting to the delay, former England full-back Micah Richards said: “It is the nutrition side of things. For me because I was a player who did high intensity runs up and down, I would always make sure that three hours before the game I got exactly what I needed. For an hour delay maybe it won’t impact things too much, but towards the end of the game they might need a top up [of energy].”

Wayne Rooney, meanwhile, believes the adverse weather could be an advantage for England, adding: “It’s just keeping your focus, when you prepare for a game you expect it to be at the time your given, but with the conditions it’s not, so it’s just keeping your focus, not getting too caught up with it, and I think the players are professional enough, they’ve got good people around them, so I don’t think that will affect them that much.

“The one thing for me, where it would affect me is in terms of the food, I used to eat my food three hours before kick-off, so , but they’ll have snacks, they’ll have the stuff there to keep that ticking over.”

“I think the weather conditions will help England, I think in previous games they’ve been too open and they’ve chased a lot, they’ve tried to press high but they’ve not been connected. So, I think with the weather conditions and with the altitude I’d imagine Thomas Tuchel saying we need to be connected as a group, we need not to be chasing all over the place because, Mexico will look to start the game fast. So, I actually think it will work in the other way and be better for England.”

FIFA held discussions to bring the game forward by six hours, but that plan was scrapped following angry responses from both teams. And asked about the complicated build-up, Three Lions boss Tuchel said: “Like so often, it is so much noise. When you are inside of the bubble, it is actually quite calm, quite focused.

“And the bigger the stages, the bigger the noises, the calmer the preparation. I think the players were not even aware of a possible change of kickoffs and just this example shows you to not lose your heads.

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“We cannot influence it. Three-and-a-half hours later, you land in Mexico and the kickoff time stayed the same. It is just not worth losing our heads. Altitude: it is what it is. Home crowd: it is what it is. It is not in our favour.

“We need to overcome obstacles but we have the spirit, we have the commitment, the pure will and the glue between the team to overcome these things. That’s why I am positive. We know what’s coming. The players will feel it, we will all feel it tomorrow when the energy is on. But that’s also the beauty of it. We focus completely on what is possible to be influenced by us.”

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The crucial last-16 clash has been delayed after thunderstorms swept across Mexico City

England’s World Cup last-16 clash against Mexico has officially been delayed by at least an hour after severe thunderstorms swept across Mexico City.

The highly-anticipated fixture was scheduled to kick off at 1am BST (6pm local time) but has now been pushed back until at least 2am BST, with officials – who have been monitoring the weather closely – set to then reassess the conditions. If they are still considered unsafe, further 30-minute delays could then be implemented until it is deemed safe for the game to go ahead.

Announcing the development live on the BBC, presenter Kelly Cates – who moments earlier had told viewers the game looked set to get started on time – confirmed that kick-off had been delayed by an hour.

Interrupting pundit Wayne Rooney, Cates said: “We have breaking news, which is that kick-off – having told you about 30 seconds ago it was about to get underway as planned – looks like it’s going to be delayed by an hour.”

It comes after the Azteca Stadium’s electrical storm safety protocol was triggered by the thunder, lightning and torrential rain that swept across the Mexican capital three hours before the scheduled kick-off.

Under those rules, officials suspended access to the pitch, with nobody allowed onto the playing surface while the storm continued and media representatives ordered to stay inside until conditions improved.

Supporters were also prevented from entering the stadium, while the arrival of both teams was also delayed in light of the conditions, with those in the stadium describing the thunder as “deafening”.

The delay will not only disrupt both teams’ preparations for the crucial knockout match, but will mean a long night for fans in England, with there now a chance that the game may not finish until gone 4am, or perhaps even later.

It also follows discussions that took place earlier this week over bringing the fixture forward to midday local time because of forecasts predicting severe weather later in the day.

According to reports, concerns extended beyond the forecast, with Mexican government officials also said to have raised security issues following the crowd crush that occurred after Mexico’s victory over Ecuador, in which four people lost their lives.

Senior officials approached FIFA on Thursday to discuss moving the kick-off time in an effort to reduce the risk of a repeat of those scenes.

However, the Football Association is believed to have resisted the proposal because of the disruption it would have caused to England supporters’ travel plans.

The Mexican Football Federation also opposed the change.

Ahead of kick-off, BBC meteorologist Tomasz Schafernaker gave an update on conditions around the Azteca Stadium, as he said: “Thunderstorms and shower clouds have been developing around Mexico City in the last few hours.

“On social media there are reports of downpours affecting parts of the city, however it is difficult to verify if lightning has been occurring close to the football ground itself.

“The showers are likely to continue to grow, threatening disruption. All eyes on the horizon and fingers crossed the storms stay well away, but it’s a close call. Any storms are likely to linger for hours.”

Etna stands around 11,050ft above sea level and is about 22 miles in diameter, although volcanic activity has altered the mountain’s height over time.

Occasionally, Catania Airport, the largest airport in eastern Sicily, has to close for hours or even days when volcanic ash makes flying in the area dangerous.

With Etna’s lava flows largely contained to its uninhabited slopes, life continues in towns and villages elsewhere on the mountain. The volcano also supports fertile farmland and attracts tourists.

The volcano has inspired ancient Greek legends. An eruption in 396 BC has been credited with keeping the Carthaginian army at bay.

In 1669, during what is considered the volcano’s worst known eruption, lava buried parts of Catania, about 15 miles away, and devastated dozens of villages. Another eruption, in 1928, cut off a rail route circling the mountain’s base.

Thunder, lightning and torrential downpours swept through Mexico City approximately three hours before the scheduled start of the fixture, triggering the venue’s electrical storm safety protocol

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England’s World Cup last-16 showdown against Mexico has been delayed after fierce thunderstorms prompted officials to suspend access to the pitch at the Azteca Stadium just hours ahead of kick-off.

Thunder, lightning and torrential downpours swept through Mexico City approximately three hours before the scheduled start of the fixture, triggering the venue’s electrical storm safety protocol.

Under those regulations, no one is permitted onto the playing surface while the storm persists, with members of the media instructed to remain within the stadium’s media centre until conditions improve.

It has now been confirmed that the kick-off time has been delayed until 2am on Monday, July 6 in the UK.

FIFA said in a statement: “Due to adverse weather conditions in Mexico City, including risk caused by lightning in the vicinity of the stadium, the kick-off of the World Cup 2026 round of 16 match between Mexico and England has been delayed to 19.00 local time (21:00 EDT). The safety and security of all individuals is Fifa’s priority. We thank all fans for their understanding and cooperation.”

Some sources indicated before kick-off both the Mexcian and England squads had been “told NOT to travel to the Azteca Stadium right now because of the storm protocols”. Sky News correspondent Rob Dorsett suggested that the move by FIFA “will almost certainly mean a delayed kick off”.

However, that hasn’t dampened the spirits of the Three Lions, who have showed up anyway.

Dorsett later added in his social media commentary of events as they unfolding on the ground in Mexico City: “Just seen more lightning as we entered the Aztec Stadium.”

Those already inside the stadium have described the thunder as deafening, with crashes echoing around the venue. Journalists already seated within the media facilities have been told to remain under cover until the storm passes.

BBC meteorologist Tomasz Schafernaker said: “Thunderstorms and shower clouds have been developing around Mexico City in the last few hours.

“On social media there are reports of downpours affecting parts of the city, however it is difficult to verify if lightning has been occurring close to the football ground itself.

“The showers are likely to continue to grow, threatening disruption.

“All eyes on the horizon and fingers crossed the storms stay well away, but it’s a close call. Any storms are likely to linger for hours.

“The severe weather follows a similar incident during Mexico’s round-of-32 victory over Ecuador at the same stadium, when kick-off was delayed by an hour because of storms.”

Earlier in the week, proposals had been tabled to bring Sunday’s fixture forward to midday local time owing to forecasts warning of severe weather later in the day.

However, both England and Mexico rejected the suggestion.

The Football Association is understood to have pushed back against the proposal due to the disruption it would have created for England fans’ travel arrangements, while the Mexican Football Federation similarly objected to the change.

FIFA ultimately resolved to maintain the original kick-off time, though the recent severe thunderstorms mean the scheduling of the fixture remains subject to the prevailing weather conditions in Mexico City.

The incident happened on around 9.15am on Sunday (July 5) on Benton Road in Longbenton.

The woman, in her 60s, was hit by a grey Renault Clio and taken to hospital with serious injuries. She remains in a critical condition and her next of kin have been informed.

The driver of the Clio involved remained at the scene and is assisting officers with enquiries, Northumbria Police said.

A cordon was put in place around the junction, but the road has since reopened.

Officers investigating the incident have appealed for witnesses to come forward, including those with CCTV or dashcam footage of the incident or the moments leading up to it.

Police were at the scene with a large taped cordon in place (Image: PROVIDED)

Anyone with information or footage is asked to contact Northumbria Police, quoting reference number NP-20260705-0316.

Police were at the scene with a large taped cordon in place (Image: NE TRAFFIC CAMERAS)

A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service said: “We received a call at 9.26am on Sunday 5 July to reports of a road traffic incident on the junction of Benton Road and Goathland Avenue in Newcastle.

“We dispatched an ambulance crew and specialist paramedic to the scene, and requested support from our colleagues at the Great North Air Ambulance Service who attended by air.

“One patient was taken to the RVI by road for further treatment.”

A Great North Air Ambulance Service spokesperson added: “Our critical care team was activated at 9.44am to reports of a road traffic collision in the Benton area of North Tyneside.

“We had two paramedics and a doctor on board our aircraft and they arrived on scene at 10.01am.

“Our team worked alongside the North East Ambulance Service to assess and treat a patient and they were taken to hospital by a road ambulance.”

Motorists have been warned to ‘expect delays’

Emergency services are at the scene of a “serious” collision on a busy road near Cambridgeshire. There has been a collision along the A421 diversion route towards St Neots on Sunday, July 5.

This was reported at around 11.40am this morning. National Highways said Bedfordshire Police are leading at the scene of the crash on Little Barford Road in Bedfordshire.

Motorists travelling on the A421 and A1 have been affected and are warned to “expect delays”. Bedfordshire Police have been approached for comment.

A spokesperson for National Highways said: “Travelling #A421 #A1 #BlackCat today. Please be aware that there has been a serious collision on the diversion route.

“@bedspolice are leading at the scene of the collision on #LittleBarford road. Further updates to follow.”

Lord David Blunkett has warned the police service in England and Wales ‘isn’t good enough’, as the Police Leadership Commission is set to conclude a ‘serious overhaul’ is needed

The police service in England and Wales is “not good enough” and its leadership needs an “ethical reset”, Lord David Blunkett has said.

The former Labour Home Secretary said a major report he co-authored on police leadership, which will be published on Monday, found weaknesses in leadership, morale and culture across the service.

The Police Leadership Commission will conclude that police leadership requires a “fundamental overhaul” as there are “significant causes for concern”.

“At the moment, the service isn’t good enough,” Lord Blunkett told the BBC. “At the moment, the morale and motivation of many of those working in the service needs a reset.”

The report, produced along with the former Conservative policing minister Lord Herbert for the College of Policing, will call for a “root and branch modernisation” of recruitment, development and monitoring within the police service.

In an article for the Mail on Sunday, Lord Blunkett said: “Supported by the Home Office, the independent Police Leadership Commission has concluded we need a root-and-branch overhaul of recruitment, training, appraisal and promotion. And that nowhere do we need more radical change than at the very top.

“It is at the very highest level in policing that we’ve found the most troubling evidence of failure, particularly when it comes to promotions. I don’t use the word ‘nepotism’ lightly because it implies deep seated preferential treatment for those close to the senior officers making the decisions. But I’m afraid it’s true.”

The Commission highlights a lack of leadership support for frontline officers, where almost a third of the service has less than five years’ service. It also criticises a postcode lottery system of promotion, with some officers raising concerns around perceptions of fairness, nepotism, and favouritism around stepping stones such as temporary promotions.

The report noted a “narrow talent pool” at the top of policing, where chief constable roles regularly attract a single suitable candidate.

The review describes a collective failure by both policing and successive governments to invest sufficient time, resources and attention to police leadership development over decades. It demanded central funding to be restored in line with other public services such as the military and NHS.

Among recommendations, the Commission has called for reformed recruitment and nationally accredited training for all new constables and a new senior constable rank to reward and recognise experienced frontline officers who provide leadership and standards. It also wants a National Academy of Police Leadership to provide consistent, high-quality development across forces and support a stronger candidate pipeline.

Lord Herbert said: “If policing is to rebuild public trust, raise standards and meet the challenges of the future, leadership must now become a priority, properly funded, consistently developed and treated as a core operational capability.

“The reforms we set out are intended to support frontline officers and reset police leadership culture towards high performance around what matters most: cutting crime and keeping people safe.”

Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia likened the ruling to “April Fool’s Day” and insisted his federation was “defending football”, while United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino defended the development, which emerged as his side prepared for the Seattle clash, taking place on Monday night local time.