England Squad Booed on Arrival in Mexico City
The England football team was met with boos as they arrived at their hotel in Mexico City to prepare for their World Cup last-16 match against Mexico.
England is set to face the tournament co-hosts on Sunday at 01:00 BST (Monday), with the match broadcast live on BBC One and .
Heightened security measures have been implemented at England's hotel following a noise complaint lodged by Ecuador, who played Mexico in the last 32 round in Mexico City.
The Ecuadorian players were deliberately disturbed by local supporters who used loudspeakers, horns, and motorcycles outside their hotel late at night, preventing them from getting adequate rest.
Ecuador stayed at the Westin Hotel, and England sought to keep their hotel location undisclosed due to concerns that the information might be leaked.
Despite these precautions, hundreds of locals gathered outside the England team hotel as their coach arrived on Friday, with some chanting "Mexico" and others booing the squad.
Members of Mexico's National Guard were stationed at the entrance of England's hotel, while police officers in riot gear stood beside barriers on the road outside to maintain order.
A strong police presence was established prior to the England team’s arrival to ensure security.
Chaotic Five-and-a-Half-Hour Period Disrupts Preparations
England arrived two days before the game, in compliance with FIFA regulations that require teams at this stage of the tournament to hold a part-open training session in the local area the day before the match.
However, their preparations were disrupted on Friday by a chaotic five-and-a-half-hour period during which FIFA considered moving the match forward by six hours due to forecast storms.
Both The Football Association and Mexico's football federation (FMF) expressed anger at the proposal less than 48 hours before kick-off, and the game will now proceed as originally scheduled.
Altitude Challenges in Mexico City
England also faces the challenge of playing at high altitude. Mexico City is situated at an average elevation of approximately 2,240 meters (7,350 feet) above sea level, resulting in reduced oxygen availability.
Ideally, athletes should spend one to two weeks living at this altitude to allow their bodies to acclimatize and produce more red blood cells, enhancing oxygen transport.
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