England captain, Harry Kane, has said that Mexico has a ‘huge advantage’ over the Three Lions ahead of their round of 16 encounter.
Mexico was the first team to secure their position in the last 16 by defeating Ecuador 2-0, while England confirmed their advancement with a thrilling 2-1 victory against DR Congo.
The renowned Estadio Azteca in Mexico City is set to host the match between Mexico and England on Sunday, July 5.
Following the match against DR Congo, Kane expressed that the high altitude of Estadio Azteca places England at a disadvantage, asserting that it will provide Mexico with an advantage, as the North American team is already accustomed to the atmospheric conditions.
Mexico, co-hosts of the 2026 tournament, have played three of their four matches at the Azteca Stadium, which has a capacity of 87,523 and is situated at an elevation of 2,200 m (7,220 feet) above sea level.
He told reporters, “My understanding is that we cannot acclimatize to the altitude. It is a significant advantage for Mexico. There is insufficient time for adaptation.”
“We were aware of this beforehand. It is simply a disadvantage we must confront. However, we demonstrated the right attitude,” Kane stated.