England are preparing for the ultimate hostile reception on the pitch in Mexico City and supporters will also have to be prepared for a similar welcome.
A reinforced security presence for the Three Lions’ last-16 World Cup showdown with Mexico is expected and the Foreign Office issued a warning on their website ahead of Sunday’s gargantuan game.
‘During the tournament, reports of mobile phone thefts and adulterated drinks have increased,’ the government say.
‘If you plan to return to the US for a later match and your passport is lost or stolen, you will not be able to use an emergency travel document provided by the British Embassy to re-enter the US from Mexico.’
The travelling party, who have so far been located in Dallas, Boston and Atlanta for England games should also be warned that Mexico has a strict ban on bringing e-cigarettes and vapes into the country.
Those caught transporting the items across the border face jail and a fine of up to £10,000.
Mexico City will play host to England fans for the last-16 clash with one of the host nations – pictured is a man in a traditional Mexican wrestling mask after their win over Ecuador
Mexican authorities are already on high alert after the recent tragic deaths of three supporters who died following celebrations in crowds at the Angel of Independence in Mexico City following their win over Ecuador, another update issued by the Foreign Office.
English fans have by and large avoided trouble at the World Cup thus far and there was a good-natured takeover of a baseball game in Atlanta by a large group, still kitted out in their shirts from the round of 32 game on Wednesday.
They descended on Truist Park to take in an unfamiliar sport in the wake of the Three Lions’ dramatic comeback over DR Congo at the World Cup.
The supporters brought the kind of atmosphere usually reserved for the terraces on the other side of the Atlantic, chanting, dancing and singing as they watched the Atlanta Braves’ home game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
For no particular reason, the England fans chose Braves player Michael Harris II to hero worship and direct their support to.
They serenaded him with ‘walking in a Harris wonderland’ and also belted out Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home).
The lyric ‘there’s only one Michael Harris’ was of particular amusement given his full name.
A roving reporter called Wiley Ballard went into the throng of England fans to gather the thoughts of one fan called ‘Nige’ from Bristol, who explained his connections had helped gain tickets for the ultimate sporting double header in Atlanta.
England fans took over the Atlanta Braves’ baseball game against St. Louis on Wednesday
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‘This morning we started at about 7am,’ he said. ‘We went to the stadium, found somewhere to park, sang with Brazilians, Colombians, Mexicans, Americans, Spanish and Germans, it was a fantastic atmosphere.
‘Things in the game weren’t going our way for a long time but we had confidence that our good players will shine through and Harry Kane is a world class striker so we’re through to the next round.’
He went on to speak about the next challenge that awaits England – a daunting trip to the Azteca to play Mexico in the last 16.
‘We’ve got Mexico in Mexico up next on Sunday evening, 7,500 feet above sea level, I don’t really fancy our chances but hopefully we can go there and maybe pull off a surprise because it’s not often that we’re the underdog and we will be the underdog.’
Three people suffocated to death at the heart of the huge crowds, including a 19-year-old woman, a 44-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman, city health authorities said.
A 30-year-old man also died in an epileptic crisis, officials said.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed ‘our solidarity and support’ for the victims’ families.
At least four people died on Wednesday during massive celebrations in Mexico City
Mexican football fans react during the Round of 32 match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City
The celebrations came after Mexico beat Ecuador to record their first World Cup knockout win since 1986, sending the co-hosts into the round of 16.
After the final whistle, celebrations erupted alongside the city’s Reforma avenue, where thousands of Mexicans gathered for the festivities.
Playing at the iconic Azteca Stadium, the Mexican squad boasts an undefeated record across 10 World Cup matches. Mexico has just two official losses at the venue – the last being a World Cup qualifying defeat to Honduras on September 6, 2013.
