Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

This will be the 24th World Cup match to be played at the Estadio Azteca, at least nine more than any other venue - Rio's Maracana ranks a distant second, with 15 games.

It will also be Mexico’s 11th match there, the most by one team at a specific venue in the tournament’s history. As you probably know by now, they have never lost a World Cup game there, winning eight and drawing two of 10 fixtures.

Their two previous exits as World Cup hosts came in other cities – in 1970 they were beaten 4-1 by Italy in Toluca, while in 1986 they bowed out to West Germany on penalties in Monterrey.

Wayne Rooney
Former England striker on BBC One

When you know you have a weakness in the team, which England do at right back, the likes of Anderson, Rice and Saka have to go out there and give Quansah support. In previous games we have been a bit open and left the full-backs one v one. We need to give them support tonight.

Mexico have an aggregate score of 8-0 across their four matches at this World Cup. Four wins, no goals conceded.

Three of those wins have come at the fortress that is the Azteca.

Image source, BBC Sport

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

Jarell Quansah, winning his fifth cap tonight, is the least experienced England player to start a World Cup knockout game since Tony Dorigo won his fourth cap in the third-place play-off defeat to hosts Italy in 1990.

It's a huge occasion for the Bayer Leverkusen defender, who has played 90 minutes for England just once. That did come at right-back in a 2-1 win over Albania in a World Cup qualifier in Tirana in March 2025.

Ordinarily a centre-back, three years ago he was playing in League One for Bristol Rovers, on loan from Liverpool. Since then he's lifted a Premier League title with the Reds and played every minute as England Under-21s won the European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia last year, but this is comfortably the biggest night of his senior international career.

Image source, Getty Images

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at The Azteca

The face of a smiling Fifa president Gianni Infantino flashes up on the big screens at The Azteca and is instantly met with very loud jeering by Mexico fans.

He's had a busy few days by all accounts.

No one likes a show off, Ben.

England boss Thomas Tuchel says, as a football lover, Mexico v England is as iconic as it gets.

Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live at Mexico City Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

This is by far the best stadium I have been in. I have walked in, and it hasn't disappointed, it is spectacular. The players must think this is what we have worked for.

It is not going to be easy. No game will be easy, you're in a World Cup and you don't expect a game to be easy.

England have got to embrace these conditions, this stadium and the situation they have put themselves in.

I wouldn't swap any England player for any Mexico player.

Mark Chapman
Presenter on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

Jude Bellingham has a big grin on his face as he looks around the Azteca in a 'bring it on' kind of way.

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent at the Azteca Stadium

The jeers were deafening as England emerged from the tunnel for their warm-up.

Declan Rice cracked a wry smile almost as if to say “that all you got!?”

Some stone cold faces on the England players faces here just 40 mins to kick-off.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at The Azteca

Image source, Getty Images

England head coach Thomas Tuchel was very much on the charm offensive when he faced the media at The Azteca in Mexico City last night.

He said, perhaps with fingers crossed beneath the desk, that he did not expect hostility towards England.

In which case, the reception England's players just received when they came out to warm up might have come as quite the shock to him.

Dogs in football shirts, never fails does it.

Anyway the players are out warming up and that has sparked wild celebrations, and boos, in the crowd.

Sarah Dawkins
BBC Sport in Mexico City

Turns out the dogs are big football fans here too. I’ve lost count of the number we’ve seen wearing football shirts over the last couple of days. Pawfect.

England

England manager Thomas Tuchel, speaking to BBC Sport on if he has felt the effects of altitude: "We didn't sleep so well the first night, second night was easier to sleep. Let's play the match. The first 15-20 minutes we will maybe feel it, that's what reports from other teams say.

On Jarell Quansah's return at right-back to try and stop Mexico on the left: "It's a side where they are very fluid and take a lot of awkward positions. Jarell is a key player for us because he plays in a back three, he is fast, he good in duels and hopefully our structure allows him to step out agains the number 10."

On why Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon start: "Why not? The last game Noni and Rashy started so for me it was very clear that we do a roation there. Top players for us. We need all 16 today to push us over the line."

Paul Robinson
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live at Mexico City Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

We use a saying quite often 'It is bouncing in here'.

When the Mexico team came out. It seemed like the place was bouncing.

Goosebumps. It is one of those types of atmospheres.

We were just discussing this in the office, Ross.

Imagine if it's delayed further and then we get extra time and penalties. And the penalties land at the point of kicking out time in the pub. Surely they can't send people on their way at that point?

And as fans in Mexico wait for the action to kick-off.

England fans across the nation who have opted to watch the game at their local are also waiting patiently.

Least the pubs are open till 05:00am.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Oh hello. The goalkeepers are out warming up.

That's promising.

England

England captain Harry Kane, speaking to BBC Sport: "This is as big as it gets in a World Cup situation. A massive game against a tough opponent. We're ready, we've prepared well and we can't wait to get out there now."

On the welcome from Mexico fans: "It's been good everywhere we've gone. There has been loads of support. Most against us but some support for us. Everyone has been in good spirits. I wouldn't say it's been hostile at all. It' just a great occasion - England coming to Mexico in a knockout game."

On if he has felt the impacts of the altitude: "So far so good. Haven't really felt it. Slept well both nights and trained well yesetrday. The whole team looked sharp. We'll have to see as the game progresses whether it has an impact. We just have to deal with it, there's nothing we can do about it. It's not an excuse. We back ourselves against a good side and we have to go out there and do that."

On England's approach: "Similar to how we want to play. Front foot, we want to be on the ball, be the team creating chances and attacking. They want to start strong with the fans behind them. The first 20 minutes is important to be calm, but it's a chance for us to try and quieten the crowd so that's what we're going to try and do."