Tuchel: England squad ready to make history against Mexico in World Cup round of 16

Written by: Mohamed Ragab

England's head coach, Thomas Tuchel, affirmed that his players are looking forward to writing a new chapter in English football history when they face Mexico in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup at the famous Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Tuchel said that playing at one of the most famous football stadiums in the world represents a great challenge and an exceptional opportunity for the team, noting that the English national team is ready for a strong match against the hosts, who will have significant crowd support.

No excuses, despite the difficult circumstances.

The England coach explained that the team is starting to adapt to the high altitude of Mexico City above sea level, confirming that the climatic conditions and the stadium's altitude will not be an excuse for any result.

He added: “We are in an iconic place and on an iconic field, and we are playing a big playoff game, but we are not here to look for excuses, but to achieve victory and write our own history.”.

Henderson: Everyone's excited about the challenge

For his part, midfielder Jordan Henderson affirmed that facing Mexico at the Azteca Stadium is one of the biggest occasions of his career, stressing that the English national team is only focused on what they can control on the pitch.

He indicated that the players are aware of the Mexican team's strength, but they enter the match with great confidence and determination to continue their journey in the tournament.

A new page, away from past memories.

England returns to the Azteca Stadium for an official match for the first time since the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals, which saw them lose to Argentina in the famous match where Diego Maradona scored his two historic goals, one of which became known as the ”Hand of God.”.

However, Tuchel emphasized that his players are not thinking about the past, stressing that the goal is to make new history, not to seek revenge for events that happened four decades ago.

A true test of England's ambitions

Observers believe that facing Mexico will be one of the English team's toughest tests in the tournament, given the opponent's strength, home advantage, and the specific climate conditions of Mexico City.

The English national team hopes to overcome this test and continue competing for the title, while the Mexican national team seeks to capitalize on the fans' support and achieve a new milestone by qualifying for the quarterfinals.