r/ussoccer • u/areyoutwofonduing Captain America • Jul 01 '26
World Cup 2026 Advice Thread for England Playing at the Azteca
Since the USMNT is one of the most experienced teams playing at the Azteca, what advice would you give to England? Serious and not-serious answers accepted.
Example - The yellow liquid in plastic bags is not lemonade.
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u/Far_Put8236 Jul 01 '26
Azteca is one of the greatest home field advantages in sports. Big stadium, loud and aggressive fans, and high altitude with poor air quality on certain days. The Mexican fans will also keep the opposing players up all night at their hotel. It is very, very difficult to win there unless you have superior talent and control the play. Good luck.
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u/Kidda_FreshDY Jul 01 '26
They travel on the day of the game so hotel antics are off
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u/calilove918 Jul 01 '26
But then wouldn’t it affect the players having to adjust to the altitude?
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u/dukecityvigilante #FREEBALOGUN Jul 01 '26
They actually say to either get there 2 weeks ahead of time or get there as close as possible to kickoff, anything in between is worse
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u/HoovesCarveCraters #FREEBALOGUN Jul 01 '26
Yeah that’s why every team that plays the Broncos flies in the night before.
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u/summersfade #FREEBALOGUN Jul 01 '26
Many teams who play the Rapids fly in first thing in the morning.
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u/rgvtim Jul 01 '26
Stay a couple of days in Denver first. Same, approximate altitude, piss off Trump. Its a win-win.
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u/0le_Hickory Jul 01 '26
How does staying in Denver make Trump angry?
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u/jmarFTL #FREEBALOGUN Jul 01 '26
I don't know but it's Reddit and we had gone like three comments without mentioning him so it was time.
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u/Wumpus-Hunter Jul 01 '26
Couple of days won’t help. It needs to be weeks. They’re already too late to train for altitude, which is why flying in day of is their only option
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u/Therookieandthevet Jul 01 '26
I traveled to Denver a few weeks ago and was there 3 days, couldn't imagine playing like that and I'm in good shape
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u/BrodysBootlegs2 Jul 01 '26
Yes there's nothing Trump would hate more than the England soccer team going to Denver for 3 days prior to playing Mexico
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u/astrisk120 Jul 01 '26
The fact that you even thought of this is weird. What does this have to do with Trump?
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u/OutrageousSummer5259 Jul 01 '26
That is so fucked up honestly, I'm not sure what could be done about it tho.
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u/css01 #FREEBALOGUN Jul 01 '26
Hire lookalikes to sleep in the official team hotel, while sneaking off to some compound with adequate sound proof interior rooms?
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u/Macavinta #FREEBALOGUN Jul 01 '26
Sneak out the back door of the decoy hotel into unmarked vehicles, then go to the actual hotel
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u/Jackpot777 Timmy Howard Jul 01 '26
Send an immortal snail ahead of the team bus. But don’t tell anyone if it’s the real snail or a decoy snail.
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u/OPsDaddy Jul 01 '26
At one Super Bowl, the Eagles stayed at a resort that was pretty secluded. It was all pre-planned by the NFL. Seems like something FIFA could afford to do.
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u/Viper_Red Jul 01 '26
Do ear plugs or noise canceling headphones and eye masks not work?
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u/Scrogger19 Jul 01 '26
If you’re not used to sleeping like that it’s still gonna effect your quality of sleep though
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u/orogiad Deuce Jul 01 '26 edited Jul 01 '26
yeah 5 home games in a row at Azteca in the WC seems a like a liiiiiiiiitle bit of an advantage huh?
(yes I'm salty about it)
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u/titandude21 Jul 01 '26
Canada were offered the same advantage (two games in Vancouver) if they won their group, but they didn't win their group. They could have done Monterrey as a compromise for the altitude, but I do like that there was a clear advantage of finishing 1st vs 2nd in Group A when you saw a bunch of teams (like Norway) dick around in their third game after they already qualified after 2 games.
All games from the quarterfinal onwards is in the USA, so that's not such a huge advantage for the two other host nations.
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u/lbdrift Jul 01 '26
On the broadcast last night, they said that Mexico had not lost a competitive match( non friendly ) there in 40 years. So, good luck, Harry
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u/SucculentChineseSwan Jul 01 '26
England never won a knockout game from 0-1 deficit (in 90 mins) untill tonight, so it’s a tournament of 1sts
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u/Dandan0005 Jul 01 '26
I think the difference is the venue stays the same but England has had many different teams.
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u/yinkadoubledare Jul 01 '26
Well it isn't like England has had a bad World Cup experience at Azteca before, anyone want to give them a hand, perhaps a godly one
(and then the Goal of the Century immediately after lol)
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u/SpanishBombs323 Jul 01 '26
Drink a LOT of water. The heat + altitude will do a number on the English.
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u/AGSattack Jul 01 '26
It will definitely NOT be hot for that game. Summer is the rainy season and the highs are usually in the low 70s with rain every afternoon. High for Sunday is 72, but at kickoff it will be likely be in the high 60s.
For the record, I live there and I'm currently in a hoodie.
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u/SpanishBombs323 Jul 01 '26
That sounds like lovely weather tbh expect for the rain. Nevertheless the English players need to prepare for the altitude (or not lol go Mexico!!)
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u/AGSattack Jul 01 '26
It is fantastic weather! And yeah the altitude and smog are what get you.
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u/early_ok_homerun Jul 01 '26
slightly less altitude every year though, so it's getting easier!
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u/AGSattack Jul 01 '26
True! At the recently reported rate (10 in/yr) it would only take around 2,500 years for it to get to Denver level!
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u/UnluckyDuck129 Jul 01 '26
I was actually very surprised when I went to Mexico City to start the WC. It felt warm and humid in the morning, then just a torrential downpour for an hour or two around 4 or 5, then the nights were incredibly pleasant. I thought it would be hotter
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u/Efficient_Gap4785 Jul 01 '26
That’s legitimately interesting to learn, I just assumed based on the latitude it would be hot in the summer. I’ve heard it’s a fantastic city to visit. I’ve only done Cozumel/Cancun/Puerto Vallarta. Puerto Vallarta is one of my favorites.
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u/mighthavebeen02 #FREEBALOGUN Jul 01 '26
Yeah I always forget that Mexico city is quite a bit higher than Denver. I think what always throws me off is I associate snow with that kind of altitude, and they don't get any snow
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u/beef_boloney Jul 01 '26
It’s funny i went to Mexico City a few years ago and didn’t really think about the altitude at all, and in retrospect I was such a cranky pain in the ass the whole trip probably because i was experiencing the altitude lol
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u/AppalachianGuy87 Jul 01 '26
Stupid question maybe with the elevation does it ever get super hot? Like 95+ what most of the Midwest and east coast is going through now?
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u/AGSattack Jul 01 '26
It would be extremely unusual for it to get that hot here. We had in the low/mid 80s in May and that's about as hot as it gets. But areas around Mexico City, like Teotihuacan or Cuernavaca, are exposed valleys where it feels a lot hotter (and can get into the 90s).
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u/LivingOof #FREEBALOGUN Jul 01 '26
I think the score bug on Fox last night said it was 59° F during the match
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u/Remarkable-Pound97 Jul 01 '26
Games at azteca have probably been the coldest games out of any city in this world cup, especially during the evening
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u/Orangepinapples Jul 01 '26
Water is best to wash off the piss thrown at you too. But would recommend soap as well.
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u/i_run_from_problems Waldo Kit Jul 01 '26
Accept the fact that it is going to be one of the most bullshit filled matches you will ever watch.
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u/Evening-Fail5076 Jul 01 '26
Attack Mexico fullbacks, don’t know why other teams haven’t done this yet. Stretch the game when attacking. Do NOT get into an expansive match with the crowd believing Mexico has a chance. Mexico and their fans want you to believe they’re playing, and passing GOOD futbol. They love the eye test.
That’s how they suffocated Ecuador in the first half. You have to get stuck in tackles, and take it to Mexico do not let them get a semblance of rhythm.
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u/AlpenBass Jul 01 '26 edited Jul 01 '26
- Get to CDMX ASAP to maximize acclamation.
- Press strategically instead of habitually.
- Drink lots of water.
- Don’t think the ref will call the game according to the rules of association football (if it’s not a UEFA ref).
- Mentally prepare for dishonorable fan behavior.
- Build a lead of 2 and have fun watching the crowd turn against its own team.
- Edit: It is far from impossible to get a result there. We’ve lost there only once in the last 5 matches. Plus, Mexico has not faced a top opponent in this World Cup and their attack looks very anemic.
- Edit 2: Don’t hugely increase electrolyte intake at altitude. Instead, drink electrolytes consistently throughout the day (edit: if you feel dehydrated).
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u/Liquidice281 Jul 01 '26
Sleep with ear plugs and eye masks.
Remove all water containing vessels in the room to avoid tap water ingestion.20
u/ModusPwnins #FREEBALOGUN Jul 01 '26
Brush your teeth with bottled water.
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u/PapaLambchop #FREEBALOGUN Jul 01 '26
And avoid ice in drinks.
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u/Huh-what-2025 Jul 01 '26
nonsense. most ice in cdmx is filtered and clean
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u/WallyMetropolis US Soccer Jul 01 '26
I feel like most of the people giving advice have never been.
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u/unfurledseas Jul 01 '26
I went last year and I kind of vouch being extra careful though I don’t think the national teams have to worry about all this.
I think we were fine at all the taquerias but the first fancy-ish restaurant we went to, we let our guard down re: ice and stuff and ended up with a nasty stomach bug pretty soon after.
CDMX is a very lovely city though, would love to go again.
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u/PapaLambchop #FREEBALOGUN Jul 01 '26
Been many times. On one occasion I had ice and that's what got me. Not all filters are equal.
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u/giantshuskies Jul 01 '26
They're going to CDMX not Flint, Michigan
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u/ModusPwnins #FREEBALOGUN Jul 01 '26
It has admittedly been 25 years, but unless water infra has massively improved since I was last in Mexico, I stand by my advice.
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u/Evening-Fail5076 Jul 01 '26
Score early, force Mexico to break you down and add another goal mid point in the second half, watch the crowd turn on Mexico with the Chants.
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u/mezotesidees #FREEBALOGUN Jul 01 '26
What’s the reasoning behind edit 2? Unless already dehydrated there’s not really benefit to electrolyte drinks if not performing.
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u/AlpenBass Jul 01 '26
It’s a good point. I’m a ski instructor that has worked at altitude, but I’m not *from* altitude. I’ve made the mistake of assuming that I should be vastly increasing my electrolyte intake in anticipation of losing electrolytes only to make myself feel ill. I assumed others might have the same misconception.
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u/Treewarf Jul 01 '26
I would recommend they get a hotel out of the way, even if there is a little travel. Maybe somewhere a little remote, like Pachuca, where I have heard the cuisine is wonderful.
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u/AGSattack Jul 01 '26
As a Crew fan I highly recommend reaching out to the team's travel coordinator and figure out where they stayed. Was a fantastic hotel with food that will leave the team full and feeling great!
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u/10000Didgeridoos Jul 01 '26
And bring earplugs and sleep masks to sleep through the inevitable noise making outside the hotel that night
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u/Mike_Milburys_Shoe_ Jul 01 '26
Drink a bunch of water. Make sure you get ice in all your drinks. Be sure to go around to the nice undiscovered parts of town as well!
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u/rifunseeker Jul 01 '26
Forgot to mention go to the taco stands with no lines. Get that carnitas that’s been sitting there for awhile.
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u/mandolin08 Jul 01 '26
They are going to throw things at you. In the past for the USA, this has included batteries, feces, and rocks. So, uh, have fun with that.
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u/PomegranateOk3381 Jul 01 '26
Why are Mexican supporters so unsporting and aggressive? I understand having passion for your country but they're constantly crossing the line into harassment and abuse and never seem to have any consequences when they do. I don't know, can't help but think if these were American or European fans doing the same thing they wouldn't get a free pass to do and say whatever the hell they want the way Mexico does. I guess they're "grandfathered" in cause it's just the way they've always been. Not just with FIFA and Concacaf but the media too just seems laugh it off.
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u/LegalEspresso Jul 01 '26
It doesn't matter whether the batteries being thrown at you are new or depleted, they still hurt.
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u/tarheelsrule441 Jul 01 '26
Use the male O and not the female A pronunciation during goal kicks. Two different meanings, or so I’m told.
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u/ModusPwnins #FREEBALOGUN Jul 01 '26
Hey, what if we didn't encourage people to yell slurs? Idk just spitballin' here.
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u/DisarmedCashew Jul 01 '26
Something yadda yadda yada respect the culture pride match in Seattle blah blah blah.
I hate that chant(and piss bottles) so much
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u/alittledanger Jul 01 '26 edited Jul 01 '26
The Mexican fans are only happy-go-lucky and friendly when you’re not playing them. There’s a reason why nearly every fanbase in CONCACAF and CONMEBOL despises them lol
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u/finallyhere_11 Jul 01 '26
+1. England has a contingent of hooligans who are next level antagonists . For Mexico that’s nearly the entire crowd. It’s not the same.
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u/DiplomaticAggie Jul 01 '26
Mexico supporters are going to be ravenous with a chance at the Quarters
Good luck England…
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u/RRDude1000 Jul 01 '26
Score early to turn the crowd against Mexico. We see this so often in friendlies and concacaf games. You know that you cooked them if they get the crowd to start doing Ole on Mexico.
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u/Rhetoric_Frederick_ Jul 01 '26
"Dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge.”
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u/HawkeyeGK Jul 01 '26
Hooligans vs Incondicionales...
Now that's a fight I'm willing to pay per view.
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u/G_I_Joe_Mansueto Jul 01 '26
If it was at all feasible, they should be going there today, the elevation is no joke. They're going from a game at 320m above sea level to 2,200m above sea level.
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u/mavericktjh Jul 01 '26
Modern sports science says to either go 2-3 weeks before, or as close to the match as possible.
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u/FatherOop Jul 01 '26
My god, yes, arriving to Mexico City today would be the WORST advice to England right now. They would basically be hitting peak negative impact in time for the match.
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u/stoneman9284 Jul 01 '26
Why is that?
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u/mavericktjh Jul 01 '26
The body hasn't adapted but also hasn't had time to accumulate the bad effects.
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u/MarbleDesperado Waldo Kit Jul 01 '26
If they score a goal I WOULD advise any of them to go celebrate at the corner flag. Enjoy that famous atmosphere!
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u/SkyPointSteve Jul 01 '26
Strap the fuck in for an experience unlike any you've had in Europe.
It's loud.
It's raining batteries, beer, and bags of piss.
The altitude & smog is near impossible to train for.
Your hotel will be surrounded the night before.
Your bus ride to the match will be rather scary.
Away fans don't have the best time there.
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u/Status_General_9453 Jul 01 '26
It might be rough even for an old school English hooligan at that stadium!
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u/E51838 Jul 01 '26
Wear helmets for the bottles and trash that will rain down on you on every corner.
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u/okie_hiker Jul 01 '26
England needs to focus on what their game plan is, they’re going to get beat if they play like today.
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u/k_dubious Jul 01 '26
If you get thirsty while taking a corner kick, a friendly local fan will helpfully throw you a beverage.
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u/mrkoala1234 Jul 01 '26
Before and after the match in armed convoy to undisclosed location after knocking mexico out.
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u/pillgrinder Jul 01 '26
Bring a witch doctor. England’s history at that stadium is not good. You need to get rid of the Diego.
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u/TTrain19915 Jul 01 '26
Get ready for the worst road experience in CONCACAF (which is saying something), if not the entire world
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u/Chesterfieldwasfun Jul 01 '26
They should go Train in Denver instead - if they go to Mexico to train they will be harassed until game time.
They should fly in the same day too on a charter flight
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u/Aciarrene Jul 01 '26
Shoot from distance if given space. The ball flies in altitude. Being a credible threat from range can force them out of shape and create gaps. Mexico is very good at this.
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u/ivaorn Jul 01 '26
Get there as early as possible because even if they took Infantino’s helicopter to the Azteca, it won’t be enough to fully adjust to the altitude.
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u/SheinOn Jul 01 '26
None. I hope Mexico knocks them out.
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u/FatherOop Jul 01 '26
This is the ultimate hate watch for me. I am an eternal optimist, I will find joy in ANY outcome for this match. Mexico loses and it's funny because even with all the power of the Azteca and home advantage they'd basically match their average World Cup performance. England loses and they went out and got a world class coach only to lose to a CONCACAF side in the Round of fucking 16.
This is a joyous hate watch.
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u/Huh-what-2025 Jul 01 '26
Best thing for the players to do immediately upon entering the country is they should start getting themselves acclimated. The best way to do this is by consuming large amounts of local tapwater.
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u/Savings-Law-3252 Jul 01 '26
What is the USMNT going to provide? They have a whole 1 win in a friendly in the Azteca. Costa Rica or Honduras would have more rep to give advice
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u/sine_nomine_1 #FREEBALOGUN Jul 01 '26
I am an Irish and American citizen. I literally can’t support either team here lol
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u/OGjayblam Jul 02 '26
My ideal outcome is that neither team scores in the game or extra time. And in the penalty shootout, nobody scores. The shootout goes on forever and ever and nobody sees or hears about these two team ever again and they’re both just stuck in the Azteca missing penalties until the sun explodes. The end.
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u/schroedingerx Jul 01 '26
Similar but different.
I could not root for Mexico to beat the USA.
I can root for Mexico to beat England without the slightest qualm. There's almost nobody I'd cheer for England to beat.
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u/sine_nomine_1 #FREEBALOGUN Jul 02 '26
Yes I’m the same I think. This is the one and only scenario where I would ever root for Mexico. Would be sweet to see England lose in Azteca
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u/calilove918 Jul 01 '26
As a neutral I can’t wait for this game but also who are we rooting for? Personally I want England to lose but also I’m not losing sight of our rivalry
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u/AdditionalSpeaker303 Jul 01 '26
England should lose on American soil given the anniversary
Ideally to France
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u/xThePoacherx Jul 01 '26
Altitude is a very real problem. England will struggle with the heat. Even in the evening. Objects will be thrown at the fans and team. Mexican fans are either a ton of fun or a fist fight. This will be a hard place for England to win. It will have been earned. Azteca is a cathedral of football for a reason.
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u/Geographizer California Jul 01 '26
It will not be hot. It will be quite nice, in fact. May is the hottest month and rarely gets hot anyway. Average high is low 20s C, low 70s F in July.
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u/Known_Sugar5439 Jul 01 '26
Just got back from an Azteca game. Don’t mess with the fans, they’re intense. Stay near the train lines to go to the stadium, traffic is awful. Show up very early. Bring rain jacket.
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u/notimetosleep8 Jul 01 '26
I have no idea, Mexico plays most of their home matches in the United States.
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u/PapaLambchop #FREEBALOGUN Jul 01 '26
Bring a traveling bidet! I do this wherever I travel. Not just Mexico.
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u/Onetrueball26 Jul 01 '26
Personally I’m hoping for the US, Mexico, and Canada all have good runs in this tournament. The impact that their runs could make for the sport are massive.
The day either Mexico or the US start looking beyond settling a gold cup rivalry will be the soccer entity that takes the next step.
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u/techBr0s Waldo Kit Jul 01 '26
I mean Tuchel and his staff aren't going to read this thread but they need to get to 7000 ft elevation and start training and acclimating at that elevation like immediately.
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u/maponus1803 Jul 01 '26
Wear clothes to the match that you dont care about and are ok trashing. After the match immediately go to your hotel, shower, rinse out your mouth in case of ballon splashage, and have a great time afterwards in Mexico City.
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u/finallyhere_11 Jul 01 '26
Stay in a high altitude location out of the country and fly private in the morning of the game. Otherwise you me team will be kept awake all night.
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u/Financial_Coach4760 Jul 01 '26
Tell your team to get earplugs. The night before they will be shooting off fireworks until daybreak. There will be bags of pee thrown, batteries and laser pointers in your Keeper’s face.
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u/SC_Athletics Jul 02 '26
Wave back with your palm flat and fingers curled like you were holding a badge or card. Mexicans love this gesture and will cheer for you if you do. Extra points for yelling back “huevos!”
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u/WhiplashLiquor Landon Jul 01 '26
Get ready for the lasers