World Cup 2026 knockouts: England’s route to the final explained

Monday, 6 July – 01:00 BST (live on BBC One and iPlayer, radio and online)

England face a tough test in the last 16 as they have the daunting task of going to Mexico to play the tournament co-hosts at the Azteca Stadium.

Mexico’s competitive record at the iconic venue is 70 wins from 89 games, with 17 draws and only two defeats. They are also unbeaten in 10 World Cup games there.

They have been in excellent form at this World Cup, too, with the tournament co-hosts having won all four games, scored eight goals and conceded none.

Mexico are ranked ninth in the world and have not lost a competitive fixture since a 2-0 defeat by Honduras in the first leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarter-final in November 2024 – a run of 13 unbeaten matches.

They produced a high-energy and intense first half against Ecuador in their last-32 match, establishing a two-goal lead after just half an hour against a side that had not conceded more than one goal in any match in more than two years.

The Azteca sits more than 7,000 feet above sea level, with that kind of altitude potentially causing shortness of breath, increased heart rate and fatigue for players who are not used to it.