No time for England to adapt to altitude - Tuchel

Mexico will have a "huge advantage" against England in the World Cup last-16 tie because of the altitude of the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, says head coach Thomas Tuchel.

England manager Thomas Tuchel has admitted that Mexico will have a "huge advantage" in their World Cup last-16 clash due to the high altitude of the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Tuchel explained that his side simply does not have enough time to acclimatize to the 2,200-meter elevation before the match. "The altitude is a real factor," Tuchel said. "Our players are already feeling short of breath in training, and they fatigue more quickly. Mexico, on the other hand, trains and plays here regularly. They are completely accustomed to these conditions. It's like playing an away game, but with an extra 'altitude boost' for the home team." England had originally planned to arrive a week early to acclimatize, but a congested fixture schedule forced them to cut that to just three days. Tuchel acknowledged that this is far from ideal: "Ideally, we would need at least ten days to adapt, but now we have to rely on science and sheer willpower to get through it." To mitigate the effects of altitude, England's medical team has implemented a detailed plan, including increased fluid intake, adjusted training intensity, and the use of portable oxygen chambers. However, Tuchel admitted that these measures can only alleviate symptoms, not eliminate the impact entirely. "We can't change the altitude, only ourselves," he said. Mexico's head coach, meanwhile, appeared confident, stating: "The altitude is our secret weapon. England are a strong team, but at the Azteca, we have never lost a World Cup match. The atmosphere and the elevation will suffocate any opponent." The match is widely regarded as one of the most anticipated fixtures of the tournament. England boasts top attackers like Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling, while Mexico is known for its quick counter-attacks and team cohesion. Tuchel believes England must seize control from the start: "We cannot let the game fall into Mexico's rhythm. Chasing the game at this altitude would be extremely difficult." Despite the unfavorable conditions, Tuchel remains confident in his squad: "We are a resilient team. Over the past few years, we have proven we can win in adversity. The altitude is just another challenge. We will find a way to overcome it." The match is scheduled for Saturday evening local time at the Azteca Stadium, with an expected crowd of over 100,000. For England, this will be not only a test of tactics and skill but also a battle against the natural environment.

No time for England to adapt to altitude - Tuchel

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