England’s players will not have enough time to adapt to the challenges of playing at high altitude before they take on Mexico in their World Cup last-16 game, says head coach Thomas Tuchel.
Harry Kane’s double against DR Congo booked England’s trip to Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium – which is around 7,200ft above sea level – on Monday, 6 July at 01:00 BST, in a match you can follow live across BBC TV, radio and online.
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At that altitude, the Earth’s barometric pressure is lower, making the air thinner and meaning less oxygen is taken into the bloodstream with each breath, which creates clear difficulties for athletes and is likely to become a key factor in the game for England.
Mexico, meanwhile, have played all four of their World Cup games at high altitude, with three matches at the Azteca Stadium and the other in Guadalajara – which is around 5,000ft above sea level – so their players are accustomed to the thinner air.
“The altitude will be a big disadvantage because we cannot physically adapt to it,” said Tuchel.
“It just takes too much time. We have only three days in between these matches. It’s physically just not possible to adapt to the altitude.
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“That is just a huge advantage that Mexico will have.
“In four days, it’s just impossible. More obstacles may come, but we are ready for that.
“This is just something with which we will have to deal. And I think we showed the attitude that we are ready for that.”
Weight of expectation not behind performance – Tuchel
England are looking to end their long wait to add to their World Cup win of 60 years ago and the pressure that goes with that hope can often weigh heavy.
However, Tuchel did not feel that played a part in his side’s performance on Wednesday.
“I did not see any of that,” he said.
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“It would be so easy to give in and to accept that narrative. I didn’t see any of that, and that is a very, very good sign.”
‘Let the children watch football’
While England’s game against DR Congo kicked off at 17:00 BST, the Mexico fixture gets under way at 01:00 BST.
It will be broadcast live on BBC TV, radio and online, and Tuchel was asked if he had a message for parents whose children were keen to watch the match live.
“Write an excuse for school and let them watch,” he said.
“There’s so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch. There will be a big match in four days, and we need the support of everyone, especially the children.”
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