England are implementing measures to safeguard their players’ rest and preparation ahead of their World Cup last-16 match against Mexico. The team is scheduled to arrive in Mexico City on Friday, two days before the Sunday fixture, which is a departure from their usual practice of arriving the night before a game. This change in schedule allows for additional time in the host city.
The decision to arrive earlier comes after Ecuador, who faced Mexico in a previous round, lodged a complaint with Fifa. Ecuador‘s squad reportedly experienced disturbances outside their hotel in Mexico City, with local supporters using loudspeakers, horns, and motorcycles throughout the night, impacting the players’ sleep. The Ecuador Football Federation made an official complaint regarding these tactics, which are not uncommon in Latin American football.
Security and Player Well-being
To counter potential disruptions, England is taking precautions regarding their accommodation. While the team aims to keep their hotel location undisclosed, there is concern that this information could be leaked on social media. In anticipation of such events, players and staff who do not have their own sleeping aids, such as earplugs or sleep bands, will be offered natural sleep remedies or white noise audio machines to help ensure uninterrupted rest.
The Football Association (FA) is actively reviewing security arrangements around the team’s hotel in Mexico City. The FA is confident in its existing security measures but remains open to adjusting them if new information emerges. There is expected to be a significant police presence on the streets of Mexico City before the game, consistent with the security measures seen throughout the tournament’s leg in the country, which has also experienced various protests from direct action groups.
Another challenge for England will be playing at high altitude. Mexico City has an average elevation of approximately 2,240 metres above sea level, which means there is less oxygen available. This environmental factor can affect player performance, particularly for those not accustomed to such conditions. Mexico has an advantage in this regard, having played all four of their World Cup games so far in high-altitude environments, including three matches at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City and one in Guadalajara, which is about 1,566 metres above sea level.
Training Adjustments and Altitude Concerns
Typically, athletes require one to two weeks to acclimatise to high-altitude conditions, allowing their bodies to adapt and produce more red blood cells. However, England manager Thomas Tuchel has acknowledged that his team will be at a disadvantage due to the altitude.
Tuchel stated that physical adaptation to the altitude is impossible within the short timeframe of four days between matches. He noted that while more obstacles might arise, the team is prepared to face them. The manager reiterated that the inability to adapt to the altitude presents a significant advantage for Mexico, as the process takes too much time, and the team only has three days between fixtures. Despite this, Tuchel expressed confidence in his team’s attitude and readiness to deal with the challenge.
In a change to their routine, Fifa mandates that teams hold a partially open training session the day before a game. Previously, England conducted these sessions in Kansas before flying to the match city. However, it has been decided that England will now train in Mexico City instead. The match against Mexico is scheduled for Sunday (01:00 BST Monday) and will be broadcast live.
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Source: bbc.com
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As News-GB's Sports Reporter, Megan Sinclair reports on tennis, cricket and athletics for readers across the country. She built her name interviewing rising British talent. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of Edinburgh and completed an NCTJ diploma. Megan lives in Edinburgh, where she plays club tennis and follows track athletics. “Give the athletes room and the story tells itself.”