England fans – England supporters have poured into Mexico City for the knockout clash at the Azteca Stadium, where kickoff is set for 1am UK time Monday. With the altitude, packed history and limited ticket numbers looming, fans are arriving with excitement — and plenty of n
The first night in Mexico City has the familiar sound of anticipation — voices outside bars. flags pulled up for photos. and supporters making space around the Azteca Stadium as the countdown reaches kickoff. England fans have descended on the Mexican capital for a crunch match against the World Cup co-hosts at the imposing Azteca. with the tie set to start at 1am UK time on Monday.
There had been talks the game might be moved forward because of bad weather, but the schedule remains unchanged. The stadium itself carries weight for England supporters: it hosted the 1986 World Cup clash against Argentina. when England were knocked out by Diego Maradona’s cheating Hand of God goal. That history is there in the background. even as fans insist they’re choosing to keep the heartbreak from 40 years ago out of their minds for now.
Retired Andy Allen. from Blackburn. Lancashire. arrived at Mexico City airport from Atlanta in the United States after watching England top Group L and their dramatic 2-1 knockout win against DR Congo in the round of 32. “It’s going to be fantastic. I can’t wait for it. it’s going to be great. the atmosphere in there will be electric. ” he said. Allen also expects Mexico to be ready for the physical challenge of altitude
and movement. “I think Mexico will be very clever and make us run around a lot and tire us out. they will be using the altitude to their advantage for this one.” He added that after taking in all the matches so far. the key is to stay composed and play with more control. “We’ve just have to hold our nerve and play a bit more like we did in the second half against Croatia.”.
That sense of belief is shared by other early arrivals. including Ben Hammond and Samantha Duffy. who have come from watching England’s DR Congo game in Atlanta and are among the first followers of Thomas Tuchel’s squad to land in Mexico City. Samantha, 35, from Hertfordshire, sounded swept up by the moment — and by the ridiculous promises that sometimes come with tournament football. “Harry Kane and Thomas Tuchel are under a lot of pressure. Ben has promised he will propose if England win the World Cup. so they had better bring it home. ” she said. She wants the match to be a springboard for bigger celebration. “It’s been great fun so far and if they win this game and go onto win the trophy it will be fantastic as we can get married.”.
For all the excitement, tickets are still an anxiety point. The couple have not sourced tickets for the big game. Samantha explained they reached the last match in Atlanta through resale sites. but this time the numbers aren’t as workable. “We went to the last game in Atlanta and got in through the resale sites. but we haven’t got tickets for this one yet.” She said they’ve been watching websites but the price is out of reach. “We will keep an eye on the websites and see what happens but at the moment they want silly money which we just can’t justify really.” If they miss out. she says they’ll adapt quickly. “So. we will see what happens. and if we can’t get one. just go along to the Fan Zone and watch it there. Whatever happens, it will be a fantastic atmosphere.”.
Nearby. Ben Hammond — 31. from Birmingham — gave his own take on the trip. wearing pristine England trainers and leaning into the playful comparisons that already follow him. “Everyone keeps saying that Ben looks a little bit like Harry Kane — so he’s my England hero,” he said. Hammond had joked about marrying Samantha earlier. but he now made it sound less like banter if England pull it off. “I was only joking when I said I’d marry Sam. but if England do win the World Cup. I will genuinely think about it. It would be great if we could take the trophy home; it’s been way too long.”.
He said they flew in from Atlanta at short notice, and the excitement is matched by a sense of opportunity. “We just decided at the last minute to come along and so flew in from Atlanta and are looking forward to getting into town and having a look round — if we could get to the match. it would be brilliant as there is so much history in that stadium.”.
Danny Thompson, 44, from Ipswich, admitted he’s trying to keep the nerves under control. “It will be a tough one, but we will stay positive,” he said. “I’ve been to all the games so far. and the reception from everyone has been fantastic. so warm and welcoming.” He also described the physical toll of the journey itself — the constant movement across states and cities. “There’s been a lot of travelling, and the logistics have been a bit of a nightmare. We’ve crossed so many states and seen so many places. but I wouldn’t change it for anything; it’s been fantastic and exceeded expectations.”.
Even outside of the fans, there has been a familiar television presence among the arrivals. Former BBC North America editor Jon Sopel, 67, flew in from London on a packed British Airways flight. “I managed to get tickets for the game. and my son Max is flying in from Australia. and I wouldn’t miss it for the world. ” he said. Sopel described the personal pull of doing World Cups together: “We did our first World Cup together in 2006 when he was a lad in Germany. and we did 2010 in South Africa. and we want to be here.”.
Another supporter. Matthew — 29. from Falmouth. Cornwall — also flew in straight from London and believes the team will rise as the tournament progresses. “I’m confident about this one. even though most of the games we have been awful but we’ve got the results. ” he said. His message is simple: the football has to improve, starting now. “I think it’s a question of getting better as the tournament progresses. We just need to play like we did against Croatia. granted we played badly the last couple of group games and the DR Congo match. so it’s time for a stellar performance from England and I’m sure it will come.”.
For Matthew, it has been a long-awaited target since the draw in December. “This one has been in the diary since the draw in December. I got my ticket for £300 through the England Travel club, and it was a no-brainer. This is a bucket list game. Mexico in the Azteca with all the history England has at the stadium. it’s going to be sensational.” He reflected on the stadium’s legendary moment even though he wasn’t there for it. “When I was younger. it was the first thing you learned in football at school. about Maradona and the Hand of God game. and I wasn’t even born when it happened. There was no way I was going to miss this game. and I also have a ticket for the next game if we get through. which could be Brazil in Miami.”.
While he expects the atmosphere to be big. he also believes England’s travelling support will be smaller than it was in the United States. “I don’t think there will be as many England fans here as there were in America. it’s expensive. and there are hardly any tickets as the locals have them all. and to be honest. I don’t think I would part with the £4. 000 minimum that’s being asked. it’s crazy prices.” He estimated numbers would be limited. “I would be surprised if there are more than 8. 000 at the match. and even that’s being optimistic. I think a few will definitely come to Mexico City for the atmosphere. and if they get lucky. they might snap up a ticket at a decent price before kick-off because that’s what happened in Atlanta.”.
Matthew also described how ticket prices shifted. “Initially. the tickets were $1500 for the DR Congo game. but then they started coming down. and I heard people got them for $500. which is a bargain.” He’s bracing for the opponent as well. The match kicks off at 6pm local time and is expected to be tough because El Tri are ranked 10th in the world. Mexico have not lost a match or conceded a goal so far. and as a host nation they have played all their games in Mexico.
The Azteca itself is already a factor before a ball is even kicked. At 2,240m above sea level, it holds 80,000 spectators and will be Mexico’s 12th man. The last time Mexico lost there was in 2013, and their unbeaten run at the stadium stands at 26 games. England’s history at the venue is more complicated: they have played six times at the Azteca. twice against Mexico. with results of a draw in 1969 and a loss in 1985.
There is also a wider World Cup record in play. England have played 10 World Cup games at the Azteca dating back to the tournaments in 1970 and 1986 as well as the current one. and they have never lost there — winning eight and drawing two — while keeping eight clean sheets. Mexico, meanwhile, are guaranteed to have fanatical backing, while England’s support will be limited to just 4,000.
Off the pitch, the tournament noise has spilled into music too. Oasis rocker Liam Gallagher fuelled a war of words with Fernando Olvera. one of Mexico’s biggest musicians. after Olvera wrote that England would win 5-0. Olvera responded to the claim with a message in frustration: “The Oasis singer said Mexico is going to lose to England 5-0. Come on… no way, get real, dude!. 5-0?. Calm down. See you Sunday. let’s see how we do.” When another local posted a video featuring another Mexican classic singer. Gallagher joked: “I sing that in the shower first thing every morning.”.
Gallagher then clarified his own comment, adding: “I just want to clarify one thing: obviously I was joking when I said England was going to beat Mexico 5-0. I think it’ll be more like 3-0 in favour of England.”
As fans fill Mexico City for Monday’s kickoff, the match already feels bigger than a standard last-16 tie. The altitude. the Azteca’s record. and Mexico’s unbeaten run at home sit alongside the personal stories — and the promises — being carried by England supporters who want one thing most of all: to turn the pressure into a night they’ll talk about for years.
England fans Mexico City Azteca Stadium England vs Mexico World Cup Harry Kane Thomas Tuchel Andy Allen Samantha Duffy Ben Hammond Jon Sopel Liam Gallagher Fernando Olvera