Mexico vs England Preview - prediction, team news, lineups | FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16

Can England get their full-circle moment at Azteca after returning to Mexico City four decades later?

Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca) in Mexico City gears up to host the Round of 16 fixtures of the FIFA World Cup 2026, where hosts Mexico and 1966 World Champions England lock horns in what is set to be a thrilling contest.

Azteca Stadium has been in the news widely, as it is arguably one of the most intimidating venues to play. It sits at a high altitude of 7200 feet, causing breathlessness due to thinner air. Moreover, a house full of 80,000 people makes it really noisy and hostile, and Mexico has lost just 2 games here in history.

England will be returning to this venue after four decades, seeking karma’s revenge in what was arguably the most controversial moment in the FIFA World Cup. The last time England played a World Cup game here was against Argentina, and Maradona scored the infamous Hand of God goal to eliminate England.

England gaffer Thomas Tuchel believes that Karma will be on England’s side at the Azteca Stadium in what was one of the biggest injustices in FIFA World Cup history.

El Tri have wreaked havoc at the FIFA World Cup 2026. The hosts won all three of their group-stage fixtures against South Africa, South Korea and Czechia before knocking out Ecuador in the Round of 16 fixtures. They are yet to concede a single goal in the tournament so far, but the next challenge won’t be easy.

England were on the verge of a humiliating early exit in the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the hands of DR Congo, who were leading the fixture till almost 75 minutes before Harry Kane scored a brace to propel England to a comeback 2-1 win over the African outfit.

England’s defensive fragilities were vivid in the last game. Though the team constantly had the spirit to go all guns blazing in attack in the last game, creating a lot of chances, they must aspire to replicate the same against Mexico, if they eye doing the impossible against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium.

The winner of this game will lock horns with either Brazil or Norway in the quarter-final fixture at the Miami Stadium at 2:30 AM IST.

The Round of 32 brings a fierce, knockout intensity where reputations matter less than 90 minutes of pure desire. The tournament enters a phase where absolute underdogs can stun football giants. Fans can expect a thrilling, high-stakes battle where any result is possible and either side has everything it takes to win.

Kick-off:

• Location: Mexico City, Mexico
• Stadium: Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca)
• Date: Monday, July 6
• Kick-off time: 1 a.m. BST, 5:30 a.m. IST [Sunday, July 5 at 6 p.m. local CST]
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: In use

Form:

Mexico (in all competitions): W-W-W-W-W

England (in all competitions): W-W-D-W-W

Players to Watch

Julian Quinones (Mexico)

Born in the tropical rainforests of Colombia, the Mexican striker is in crazy form, having scored three goals across four games for El Tri. His dominating form in the FIFA World Cup is not at all surprising as Quinones is coming after a highly productive spell with Al Qadsiah in the SPL, logging 41 goal contributions in 35 games.

Colombian-born Quinones moved to Mexico as a teenager to launch his professional career before making his debut for El Tri in 2023. He would be keen to get the better of English defenders, Ezri Konsa and Manchester City’s Marc Guehi to help Mexico take an early lead in the game.

Declan Rice (England)

After Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, if someone played a bigger role in England’s win over DR Congo in the last game, it has to be Declan Rice. The English champion with Arsenal, Rice filled in the right back void after Djed Spence was subbed off. He was rock solid both defensively and in midfield.

Born along the banks of the River Thames, Rice is a world-class midfielder who is widely known for his elite transition mapping. The former West Ham midfielder has an excellent reading of the game, cleanly picking off vertical passes before they can breach England’s central backline.

Match Facts

• The last and only time these two met at the World Cup in 1966, England won the World Cup
• England are on a four-match winning streak against El Tri.
• Sir Bobby Charlton of England in the leading goalscorer in this fixture.

Mexico vs England: Betting Tips and Odds

• England to win the game – 1/7 with bet365
• Harry Kane to score – 1/2 with bet365
• England to qualify – 11/2 with bet365

Injury and Team News

Declan Rice faced an injury scare after being subbed off. But reports indicate it was purely exhaustion, fatigue and minor cramps and the Arsenal midfielder is expected to be fit to start against Mexico. Tuchel might prefer Gordon over Rashford in the last game after he made a big impact in the last game.

Gilberto Mora became the second-youngest player to make the first XI for a World Cup knockout match after Pele. El Tri have no injury concerns for the next game against England.

Head-to-Head

Total games: 09

Mexico won: 02

England won: 06

Matches drawn: 01

Predicted Lineups

Mexico predicted lineup (4-3-3)

Raúl Rangel (GK); Jorge Sánchez, César Montes, Johan Vásquez, Jesús Gallardo; Luis Romo, Erik Lira, Mora; Roberto Alvarado, Raúl Jiménez, Julián Quiñones.

England predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Jordan Pickford (GK); Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, Jack O’Reilly; Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson; Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon; Harry Kane.

Match Prediction

This is again a very difficult fixture to predict. Mexico will surely have the upper hand in this fixture, and as it seems, England might have to play for more than ninety minutes. Given England’s elite attacking lineup, we still expect the Three Lions to triumph over Mexico and get their karma win at the Azteca in extra time.

Prediction: Mexico 2-3 England (after extra time)

Telecast Details

India: Unite8 Sports Channels, ZEE5,

UK: BBC & ITV

USA: FOX Sports

Nigeria: DStv, GOtv

Full Broadcaster List here.

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