Mexico City is swept up in World Cup fever as the Mexican national team (El Tri) draws unusually high attention and expectations ahead of their next knockout match against England. The Guardian reports intense demand for Mexico jerseys in areas such as Zócalo and Avenida 5 de Mayo, with sales said to have surpassed those of other teams even before Mexico secure a potential last-16 tie with England. The city’s atmosphere is linked to Mexico’s recent on-field performance, including a win over Ecuador that secures Mexico’s first knockout victory since 1986, following a earlier group-stage win over South Africa. Reuters also notes that large crowds watch matches on outdoor screens: one estimate cited by The Guardian is 1.4 million viewers for the Ecuador game, compared with about 400,000 for the opening match. While festivities continue, safety concerns are also reported, including fatalities tied to a crush and people trapped following the Ecuador match. Other coverage highlighted tournament and venue factors shaping preparations and demand, including discussions around altitude at Estadio Azteca and reported ticketing figures for the England vs Mexico match.
Mexico City rallies behind El Tri as World Cup momentum builds ahead of England
Mexico City is swept up in World Cup fever as the Mexican national team (El Tri) draws unusually high attention and expectations ahead of their next knockout match against England. The Guardian report...
- Mexico City has a heightened World Cup atmosphere as El Tri builds momentum ahead of a potential knockout meeting with England.
- Mexico’s recent win over Ecuador gives them their first knockout victory since 1986.
- Large numbers of people watch Mexico matches on outdoor screens in Mexico City, with estimates reaching about 1.4 million for the Ecuador game.
- Jersey demand around central areas such as Zócalo is reported as exceptionally high.
- Some coverage reports safety incidents, including fatalities, linked to crowds around the Ecuador match.
Mexico City swept up in World Cup fever as El Tri capture imaginations like never before The GuardianWorld Cup 2026: England keep Mexico venue quiet to avoid noisy locals BBCThomas Tuchel claims Fifa rule puts England at ‘huge’ disadvantage in Mexico City altitude The GuardianThe Azteca, Mexico's fortress: When did El Tri last lose there? What's the altitude like? ESPNEngland vs Mexico tickets on sale for £27,000 The Telegraph
5 hours agoEngland will arrive at the tournament’s pulsating heart to find expectations soaring and the streets and bars abuzzThe shirt sellers are out en masse in the streets around Zócalo, the vast main square in Mexico City. The national team have never captured imaginations quite like this and there is almost unlimited demand for a jersey that, even before El Tri sealed a potentially epochal last-16 tie with England, had outsold every other at this World Cup. Three weeks since hosting the opening game Mexico can claim, for a few days at least, to be the tournament’s pulsating heart, and expectations are soaring. “We feel we are going to win,” says Francisco, who is walking along a buzzing Avenida 5 de Mayo. Even in a city notorious for its chaos and bustle there is an extra charge in the cool, thin air here. “It’s going to be difficult but we are all very motivated. Mexico will play a game like the previous one and they are going to beat England.”Francisco is referring to Tuesday night’s win over Ecuador, which secured a first knockout victory since 1986. Even in the fabled, mythologised history of Estadio Azteca it was a night of almost unparalleled fervour. Then there was the situation on the streets. About 1.4 million people are estimated to have watched on outdoor screens despite a vicious pre-match storm that delayed kick-off by an hour. It is some increase on the 400,000 believed to have turned out for Mexico’s first match, a win over South Africa. Tragically it was not always safe, with four people killed in a crush and dozens trapped. Continue reading...
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