FIFA World Cup
A place in the quarter-finals is at stake as the confident co-hosts eye their shot at glory against the Three Lions, who have so far failed to live up to their billing as one of the pre-tournament favourites.
Harry Kane rescued England from what would have been one of their worst ever FIFA World Cup defeats to edge past Congo DR in the last 32, the captain scoring twice in the final 15 minutes in Atlanta to secure a nervy 2-1 win and keep the dream of ending a 60-year wait to win a major tournament alive.
Mexico, by contrast, are flying. El Tri have won all four games on home soil, without even conceding a goal.
A 2-0 victory over Ecuador secured their first knockout win at the FIFA World Cup for 40 years and more history beckons if England can be slayed in front of an expectant home crowd.
Mexico have reached the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals twice, both times when they previously hosted the tournament in 1970 and 1986, but have never progressed beyond the last eight.
All matches from the quarter-finals on will be played in the USA and Mexico are desperate to make the most of their final game with home advantage.
England face not only a team in form, but the challenge of performing in high altitude at the Mexico City Stadium, which sits 2,240 metres above sea level.
"The altitude will be, of course, a big disadvantage because we cannot physically adapt to it in four days. It's just impossible," said England boss Thomas Tuchel.
England flew out from their training base in Kansas on Friday, a day earlier than their normal practice of travelling on the eve of the game.
On top of the physical exertion of dealing with the altitude, Tuchel is keen to get as prepared as possible for how it affects the movement of the ball.
"The ball will fly differently," he said. "It will fly maybe five yards more. It's just difficult. We just need the experience."
England have already faced FIFA World Cup heartbreak at the Mexico City Stadium, where their most famous defeat in the competition took place 40 years ago.
Diego Maradona's mix of cheating and devastating skill secured a 2-1 win for Argentina in the quarter-finals.
Maradona famously punched the ball into the net for the opening goal which he christened "the Hand of God."
Moments later Maradona led the English defence in a merry dance to score one of the all-time great FIFA World Cup goals.
Mexico may not be blessed with that individual talent, but they are an incredibly tough nut to crack at Mexico City Stadium
In 89 matches at the iconic stadium, they have lost only twice and have never been defeated in 10 FIFA World Cup games there.
England's hopes may well rest with their proven match-winner Kane, who took his 2025/26 season goals tally to an incredible 72 for club for country in the win over Congo DR.
"No matter the situation, no matter what kind of chance I get, I feel like I can score goals," Kane said. "I just think there's a mixture of everything coming together at the right time."
Mexico v England
Venue: Mexico City Stadium (Ciudad de Mexico)
Kick-off: Sunday, 18:00 (UTC-6)
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