England secured their World Cup last-16 fixture against Mexico after Harry Kane scored twice to defeat DR Congo, setting up a challenging encounter at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium, located 7,200 feet above sea level. The extreme altitude reduces oxygen availability significantly, making it particularly difficult for visiting teams since proper acclimatisation to such elevations typically requires one to two weeks, yet England will only arrive two days before the match.

Manager Thomas Tuchel described the altitude disparity as a "huge advantage" for Mexico, whose players have developed physical adaptations through playing all four group matches at high-altitude venues. Whilst Tuchel acknowledged this as an obstacle, he rejected the notion that external pressure is affecting England's performance and stressed that the team has demonstrated sufficient resilience and attitude to face such difficulties.