No Time for England to Adapt to Altitude - Tuchel
July 3, 2026 · Global
England head coach Thomas Tuchel expressed his concerns about his team's ability to adapt to the heights of the Azteca Stadium before their World Cup match against Mexico, highlighting the physical challenges and Mexico's advantages resulting from their acclimatization.
England head coach, Thomas Tuchel, stated that England players will not have enough time to adapt to the challenge of playing at high altitude before facing Mexico in the World Cup last 16 match. Harry Kane scored a brace against DR Congo that sealed England's trip to the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, which is approximately 2,200 meters above sea level, on Monday, July 6 at 01:00 BST. At such altitudes, the barometric pressure on the ground is lower, so the air is thinner and causes less oxygen to enter the bloodstream with each breath, which creates a clear challenge for the athletes and is likely to be a key factor in the match for England. Meanwhile, Mexico have played all four of their World Cup games at high altitude, with three games at the Azteca Stadium and one in Guadalajara – which is around 1,500 meters above sea level – so their players are already used to the thinner air. "The height will be a big disadvantage because we can't physically adapt to it," said Tuchel. "It just takes too long. We only have three days between these games. Physically, it's impossible to adapt to the altitude." Research shows that athletes who compete at high altitudes should spend a week or two staying at that level to allow their bodies to acclimatize and produce more red blood cells. However, England will only arrive in Mexico City two days before the match. "That's a big advantage that Mexico will have," added Tuchel. "More obstacles may arise, but we're ready for it. It's just something we have to deal with. And I think we showed the attitude that we're ready for it." England are seeking to end their long wait to add to their World Cup triumph after 60 years and the pressure that accompanies that hope can often be overwhelming. However, Tuchel did not feel it affected his team's performance on Wednesday. "I don't see that," he said. "It would be very easy to give up and accept that narrative. I don't see that, and that's a very good sign." While England's match against DR Congo starts at 17:00 BST, the match against Mexico will kick off at 01:00 BST. The match will be broadcast live on BBC TV, radio and online, and Tuchel was asked if he had a message for parents whose children want to watch the match live. "Write an excuse for school and let them watch," he said. "There are lots of schools to attend, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch. There will be big games in four days, and we need support from everyone, especially the kids."