Mexico face England in the round of 16 at the Azteca

England await at the Azteca on Sunday

It's official: Mexico face England in the round of 16 on Sunday at Estadio Azteca (2). The stage is set for the biggest match of your tournament so far. Mexico are co-hosts, unbeaten, and carrying momentum into a knockout clash against one of the pre-tournament favorites. Aguirre last faced England in a friendly with Mexico, a match fans still bring up, but this is a different animal entirely.

Azteca history is on your side

Mexico have never lost a World Cup match at the Estadio CDMX. Across 1970, 1986, and now 2026, the record stands clean (2). That is not a stat, it is a fortress. Aguirre has called on the crowd to make the difference, and Sunday will test whether the walls still hold.

Declan Rice carrying pain into the knockout

England's Declan Rice came off in stoppage time against Congo DR with what Thomas Tuchel called 'terrible pain.' Rice himself says he will be fit for Sunday: 'It's not an issue, I will recover.' Tuchel was less certain during the match: 'When Declan tells you he is in terrible pain, then you know he cannot take it anymore' (Reddit, 2). His fitness is the subplot England did not want.

Fan-reaktioner

Mexico and Spain are the only two teams yet to concede a goal at this World Cup, and fans noticed immediately (Reddit, 1). The defensive record has become a point of pride heading into the England match. Meanwhile, safety warnings for England supporters traveling to the Azteca are circulating, and Mexican fans seem quietly amused by the caution (Reddit, 3). The Iran team also said goodbye with a message thanking Tijuana for 'respect, not just stadiums and tickets' (Reddit, 4).