FIFA receives Mexico complaint before England World Cup match

England play Mexico in their World Cup last-16 match on Sunday (Getty)

FIFA has received a complaint about Mexico fans targeting team hotels ahead of their World Cup game against England this weekend.

The Three Lions will play Mexico in their last-16 match at Azteca Stadium on Sunday, with the game kicking off at 1am BST on Monday morning.

England are due to arrive in Mexico City on Friday and will spend two nights in the capital before the game.

However, England are trying to keep the location of their hotel a secret due to concerns that it will be targeted by Mexico supporters before their match.

Ecuador, who were beaten by Mexico in the round of 32 on Wednesday, have submitted a complaint to FIFA this week after their players were kept awake by Mexico fans the night before the game.

From midnight until the early hours of the morning on the day of the match, Mexico supporters gathered outside the Westin Hotel in Mexico City where Ecuador’s squad was staying and used car horns, motorcycles and loudspeakers to disturb the players.

AFICIÓN MEXICANA 🇲🇽 VINO AL HOTEL DE ECUADOR 🇪🇨

Los aficionados han venido con sus carros, trompetas, motos, todo haciendo ruido para la selección sudamericana, tratando de no dejarlos dormir. Jugadores se asoman desde sus habitaciones. pic.twitter.com/ltJ6i0DKfn

— Zaritzi Sosa (@zaritzisosa) June 30, 2026

‘Such conduct stands in stark contrast to the principles of fair play, equity, and unity that a World Cup should embody,’ the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) said in a statement.

‘The FEF respectfully calls upon the competent authorities to pay greater attention to these events and to adopt the necessary measures to safeguard the safety of our players, coaching staff, and fans.’

Thomas Tuchel believes Mexico have a significant advantage over England due to the altitude level (Getty)

Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel already believes his England players will be at a significant disadvantage due to the game being played at Azteca Stadium, which is around 7,200ft above sea level.

The high altitude means the air is thinner and less oxygen is taken into the bloodstream, which is likely to create difficulties for England’s players.

Mexico, who are yet to concede a goal at the World Cup, have played all four of their matches at high altitude, with three games at Azteca Stadium and the other in Guadalajara, which is around 5,000ft above sea level.

‘The altitude will be a big disadvantage because we cannot physically adapt to it,’ Tuchel said after England’s win over DR Congo.

‘It just takes too much time. We have only three days in between these matches. It’s physically just not possible to adapt to the altitude.

‘That is just a huge advantage that Mexico will have. More obstacles may come, but we are ready for that.

‘This is just something with which we will have to deal. And I think we showed the attitude that we are ready for that.’

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