Thomas Tuchel Warns England It Will Be Impossible To Adapt To Azteca Altitude Vs Mexico

England progressed to the World Cup last-16 after beating DR Congo 2-1 on Wednesday night, with Harry Kane equalising on 75 minutes and then scoring the winner on 86 minutes.

“England's players will not have enough time to adapt to the challenges of playing at high altitude before they take on Mexico in their World Cup last-16 game, says head coach Thomas Tuchel”

BBC

Metro.co.uk said Thomas Tuchel credited Anthony Barry’s “brilliant” idea for the tactical shift that helped England bounce back after falling behind to a Brian Cipenga goal just seven minutes in.

BBC

RTE.ie reported Tuchel emphasised that “a lot, a lot” of obstacles await England as they prepare to face hosts Mexico in the Azteca.

talkSPORT quoted Tuchel warning it will be “impossible” for England to adapt to the high altitude in time for the clash with Mexico.

The match set up by the comeback is scheduled for Monday, July 6 for UK fans, with talkSPORT describing the round-of-16 showdown in Mexico City as taking place at 6pm local time on July 5.

Tuchel said the altitude at the Azteca will be a “big disadvantage” because England “cannot physically adapt to it in four days,” as RTE.ie described the team’s preparation after the 2-1 win over DR Congo.

RTE.ie added that Mexico City’s Azteca stadium is located 2,240 metres above sea level while England have been based in Kansas City.

El Comercio

Metro.co.uk reported Tuchel’s assistant coach idea involved moving Declan Rice to right-back, with Tuchel saying: “Anthony Barry had a brilliant idea in the end, when we were discussing it to put Declan there.”

talkSPORT also quoted Tuchel saying: “We will not be ready; we will arrive one day early, but we will not be ready because you cannot be ready in terms of adaptation.”

RTE.ie further quoted Tuchel praising Kane as England’s “captain” and “leader,” describing Kane’s two late finishes as “unbelievable” as England turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win.

England’s next game against Mexico at Estadio Azteca is framed as a decisive test after the comeback win over DR Congo, with talkSPORT noting the Three Lions are “unbeaten in 26 matches at the Azteca” following their 2-0 triumph over Ecuador on Tuesday.

“Mexico City will host on Thursday the opening match of the 2026 World Cup against South Africa, at the legendary Estadio Azteca, the first stadium to host three World Cup opening matches”

Euronews

RTE.ie said Tuchel believes England are “ready for that” and that “when the going gets tough, that we will find the answers,” as he described the fixture as “one of the most beautiful fixtures, most exciting fixtures than you can have.”

Metro.co.uk reported Tuchel is weighing whether to risk losing Rice’s influence in midfield by playing him at right-back, while also pointing to injuries to Tino Livramento, Reece James and Jarell Quansah.

talkSPORT added that England could face a weather-affected last-16 match, with thunderstorms expected ahead of kick-off, and it also referenced fireworks outside the Ecuadorian team hotel.

USA Today set the round-of-16 matchup for July 5 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and listed odds as of 3:30 p.m. ET on July 1 via BetMGM, including England (-160) and Mexico (+125).