England unconcerned by altitude, atmosphere ahead of Mexico World Cup tie

England's squad is unfazed by the daunting prospect of facing hosts Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium, embracing the challenges of high altitude, a hostile crowd, and the significant stakes of their World Cup last-16 clash. Fears of Mexico supporters disrupting England's preparations and the effects of playing at 2,200 meters above sea level are seen by the team not as deterrents, but as motivators.

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The build-up and everything around it, the different obstacles we have to face, I think just adds to that kind of adrenaline, that kind of excitement that you have as a team, and the prospects of getting to a quarter-final of a World Cup, and what that means to us as players, as well.

Attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers articulated the team's mindset, stating, "The build-up and everything around it, the different obstacles we have to face, I think just adds to that kind of adrenaline, that kind of excitement that you have as a team." He views these challenges as part of the grand occasion, believing that "if we're for our best, we can beat pretty much anyone."

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Of course, we know the difficulties, how well they're playing, the atmosphere, and all of that. But we know that if we're for our best, we can beat pretty much anyone.

Striker Marcus Rashford echoed this sentiment, brushing aside suggestions that the altitude and atmosphere could be decisive factors. "It's a game of football. We've all been playing football since we were kids and we've played in different environments, different atmospheres, some easier than others, some terrible to play in, and disgusting," he said. Rashford stressed the team's focus on finding a way to win, asserting, "It's up to us to try and find a way to come out on top, and that's what the focus is... We have to work together and try to bring as close to our best as we can, and we'll be fine."

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It's a game of football. We've all been playing football since we were kids and we've played in different environments, different atmospheres, some easier than others, some terrible to play in, and disgusting. It's up to us to try and find a way to come out on top, and that's what the focus is... We have to work together and try to bring as close to our best as we can, and we'll be fine.

Concerns about a potential shift in kickoff time due to severe weather were also dismissed by both Rogers and Rashford. Rogers suggested an earlier start might even be preferable, stating, "We'll be ready regardless of the time, earlier probably the better, because you want to play it." The team is also preparing for possible off-field distractions, having heard about incidents where fans attempted to disrupt opponents' sleep, though Rogers joked about needing earplugs, he affirmed they would be "best prepared as we can to be ready and get enough sleep and recovery for the game."

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We'll be ready regardless of the time, earlier probably the better, because you want to play it.