Mexico vs England: FIFA World Cup last 16 – Kane, prediction and altitude

Published 5 July 2026 · sports

One of the most anticipated knockout matches takes place when Mexico plays England at the Azteca in the round of 16. Four wins to go

One of the most anticipated knockout matches takes place when Mexico plays England at the Azteca in the round of 16. Four wins to go. How can your team reach the final and win the 2026 World Cup? Click here to find out. Who: Mexico vs England What: FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 16 Where: Azteca Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico When: Sunday, July 5, at 6pm (00:00 GMT on Monday) How to follow: We will have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 21:00 GMT before our live text commentary stream. It took two goals on a stormy night in Mexico City to break a 40-year curse of a World Cup knockout win for Mexico. Shortly thereafter, more than a million Mexicans thronged to the streets in celebration, and the excitement level went up a notch further when it was announced that England would be their next opponent at the 2026 World Cup. A blockbuster round of 16 clash awaits the teams at the iconic Azteca Stadium, the fortress-like home of tournament cohosts Mexico, and the same venue that left England fans in agony in 1986 when Diego Maradona’s famous ‘Hand of God’ goal eliminated The Three Lions from the tournament in a contentious quarterfinal defeat to Argentina. Come Sunday, as the two sides collide, so will years of history. Al Jazeera tells you everything about Mexico vs England How did Mexico and England reach the round of 16?

Mexico topped Group A with nine points, maintaining a perfect record as they defeated South Africa, South Korea and Czechia. Then, El Tri won a World Cup knockout game for the first time since 1986, beating Ecuador 2-0 in the last-32. England topped Group L with seven points, winning against Croatia and Panama, and being held to a goalless draw by Ghana. They staged a late 2-1 comeback victory against the Democratic Republic of Congo to squeeze into the last-16. ‘Proper World Cup match’: Altitude and Azteca in focus The challenge of playing in high altitude, risk of adverse weather and scheduling issues – the build-up to Mexico vs England has been eventful, to say the least. Much of the focus has been on how the pitch at the Azteca – sitting 2,240 metres (7,350 feet) above sea level – could take English players’ breath away, quite literally. The ball could travel faster and farther, the players could feel moments of breathlessness, and there is also the little matter of a raucous Mexican crowd, which knows a thing or two about creating an adversarial atmosphere. Despite the home team advantages, England are relishing the chance to play at the Azteca, the venue of the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals. Forty years later, the venue remains ever present in the minds of several generations of England football fans due to Maradona’s brilliant – albeit highly controversial – performance against The Three Lions in Mexico City.