No Sleep, No Oxygen, No Mercy: Can England Survive Mexico's Dirty Tricks

Thomas Tuchel's England football team heads into Sunday's FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash against Mexico facing threats that go well beyond ninety minutes on the pitch.

From deliberate sleep disruption by Mexican supporters to the punishing altitude of Mexico City, England vs Mexico is shaping up to be a battle the Three Lions must win twice - once off the pitch and once on it.

Who Is Behind the Plot to Disrupt England's Sleep?

According to The Mirror, thousands of Mexican fans are planning to gather outside England's team hotel armed with loudspeakers, horns, motorcycles, and music to deny players rest before the match.

Disrupting opposing teams' sleep has reportedly become an organised tactic in Mexico, deliberately deployed ahead of high-stakes fixtures.

Has This Tactic Worked Before?

It has. Ecuador's squad endured disruption from midnight through the early hours before their Round of 32 fixture against Mexico in Mexico City.

Mexico won 2-0. The Ecuadorian Football Federation subsequently filed a formal complaint with FIFA, arguing the incidents violated the fair play standards expected at a World Cup, as per Yahoo Sports.

How Is the England Football Team Pushing Back?

England have arrived in Mexico City two days ahead of the match, departing from their usual one-day schedule.

Players are being provided with natural sleep remedies and white noise machines. The team hotel location is being kept confidential, though concerns remain that it could be leaked on social media.

Why Is Altitude England's Biggest Enemy Against Mexico?

Mexico City sits at approximately 2,240 metres above sea level. Athletes typically need at least two weeks to properly acclimatise.

But England only has days. Tuchel acknowledged the challenge directly, saying the altitude gives Mexico a "huge advantage" that his side physically cannot overcome in the time available, as per Wion news.

Can the England Football Team Still Win the Round of 16 tie?

Estadio Azteca is one of football's most hostile environments, and Mexico have won all four of their tournament fixtures so far without conceding a single goal, three of them at the Azteca itself.

Yet England demonstrated character with a 2-1 comeback win against DR Congo. If Tuchel's squad manages the chaos around the match as well as the match itself, an upset remains possible.

(With inputs from yMedia)