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Lightning, hotel security and spying - issues England face in Mexico
WC 2026
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BBC Sport·about 13 hours ago

Lightning, hotel security and spying - issues England face in Mexico

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England squad booed as they arrive in Mexico

England were booed as they arrived at their Mexico City hotel to prepare for their World Cup last-16 game against Mexico.

England face the tournament co-hosts on Sunday (01:00 BST, Monday), a match which will be shown live on BBC One and iPlayer.

There is increased security at England's hotel after Ecuador, whom Mexico played in the last 32 in Mexico City, lodged a noise complaint with Fifa.

Ecuador players were deliberately kept awake by local supporters, who used loudspeakers, horns and motorcycles outside the team hotel late at night.

Ecuador stayed in the Westin Hotel and England wanted to keep their location undisclosed, but there were concerns that the location would be leaked.

Hundreds of locals were waiting outside their hotel as the team coach arrived on Friday, with some chanting "Mexico" and others booing.

Members of Mexico's National Guard lined the entrance to England's hotel, while police officers in riot gear stood next to barriers on the road outside the hotel.

Image caption, A police presence was in place before England's arrival

Image source, Reuters Image caption, A police presence was in place before England's arrival

Image caption, Law enforcement personnel have been provided by Mexico City's Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC)

Image source, Reuters Image caption, Law enforcement personnel have been provided by Mexico City's Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC)

Image caption, Members of the National Guard have also been deployed in the Mexican capital

Image source, Reuters Image caption, Members of the National Guard have also been deployed in the Mexican capital

Previous image Next image Slide 1 of 3 , Police near the England team's hotel before their arrival for their World Cup last-16 game with Mexico in Mexico City , A police presence was in place before England's arrival End of image gallery Five and a half hours that left England's World Cup tie in chaos

Published 9 hours ago Secret location & sleep devices: England bid to combat noisy Mexico fans

Published 1 day ago England arrived two days before the game as Fifa rules for this stage of the tournament state that teams must hold a part-open training session in the local area the day before the game.

Their preparations were disrupted on Friday by a chaotic five-and-a-half-hour period in which it emerged that Fifa was considering bringing the match forward by six hours because of forecast storms.

The Football Association and Mexico's football federation (FMF) were angry at the proposal less than 48 hours before kick-off, and the game will now start as originally scheduled.

England also face the challenge of playing the game at high altitude.

Mexico City has an average elevation of about 2,240m above sea level, meaning there is less oxygen available.

Ideally, athletes should spend a week or two living at that altitude to allow their bodies to acclimatise and generate more red blood cells.

'You can't breathe' - what's it like playing at altitude?

'You can't catch your breath' - how will Azteca altitude impact England?

BBC offers 'Stay Up or Catch Up' for England v Mexico

Sources: BBC Sport

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