England has faced numerous challenges in their quest for glory in the World Cup this summer. However, coach Thomas Tuchel is fully aware of the monumental challenge that lies ahead at Azteca Stadium during the round of 16.
The co-host nation has generated immense excitement over the past three weeks, showcasing their prowess in a memorable victory against Ecuador in the last 32. After a weather delay, Julian Quinonez and Raul Jimenez delivered stunning performances, overwhelming their opponents.
However, the biggest challenge for England this Sunday could be the playing conditions, as the high altitude of Mexico City, situated 7,220 feet (2,240 meters) above sea level, poses a significant hurdle.
The Azteca Stadium in Mexico City is situated 7,220ft above sea level (PA Wire)
The thinner air, with reduced oxygen levels, will make recovery runs increasingly difficult for the players.
“We have many obstacles ahead,” said Tuchel after England’s 2-1 win over DR Congo. “The altitude will definitely be a disadvantage because we can’t acclimatize in just four days – it’s simply not feasible.
“We’re prepared for that, though. We believe we have the necessary resources to handle it. When things get tough, we believe we’ll be ready. It’s a significant advantage for Mexico, and we recognized that ahead of time. It’s a challenge we must face.”
From a scientific perspective, the lower partial pressure of oxygen at high altitudes means the oxygen molecules become more dispersed in the air, leading to heavy breathing and less oxygen being available for muscle recovery.
As explained by Brendan Scott from Murdoch University, this lack of oxygen will hinder the performance of England’s players.
England have not played at the Azteca since the 1986 World Cup and Diego Maradona’s infamous double (Getty)
It has been long since England played at the Azteca, their last appearance being in the 1986 World Cup. Back then, Sir Bobby Robson took his team to Mexico a year in advance to acclimate to the conditions. Unfortunately, no such strategy was implemented under Tuchel’s management, as they learned about their tournament path only in December.
England will travel on Friday afternoon, after completing a final training session in Kansas City, with plans to arrive over 48 hours before the match.
The rationale is that with no ideal 2-3 weeks for acclimatization, a later arrival allows the team to manage the immediate impacts of altitude fatigue.
Nonetheless, this strategy has been criticized. Well-known performance coach Steve Magness suggests arriving two days before a match is “one of the worst timings for optimal performance,” as it falls within a critical performance dip with minimal acclimatization.
While there’s no definitive approach to altitude acclimatization, England can look to the experiences of other sports for guidance.
With the air thinner and less oxygen available, those lung-busting recovery runs become more excruciating at each turnover (Reuters)
Eight years ago, the England rugby team faced similar altitude challenges in South Africa. Coach Eddie Jones opted for a late arrival in Johannesburg, which is at 5,751 feet (1,753 meters) above sea level, after preparing closer to sea level in Durban. While many teams typically arrive within 24 hours of kickoff, FIFA regulations during the World Cup hinder that approach.
The Three Lions might draw lessons from various sports about pacing themselves, as the rugby team experienced a dramatic shift in performance despite an early strong lead against South Africa in 2018.
“It became tough after 20 minutes,” hooker Jamie George admitted. “We felt the altitude kick in after about 20 to 30 minutes; it hit us quite hard.”
England’s rugby team squandered a 21-point lead at altitude against South Africa (Getty)
Endurance athletes often train at high altitudes, and runner Callum Elson shared insights into the challenges of playing at the Azteca. “Living there felt fine,” Elson told The Independent, recalling his experiences training at high elevations. “But when you face a steep incline or a set of stairs, it takes more out of you than expected. It can be deceptive—initially, it feels easier due to lower air resistance, but recovery becomes a challenge.”
Elson emphasized that the most significant concern lies in recovery, which is vital for success in elite sports. He illustrated the challenge: Roger Bannister’s mile record was once groundbreaking, yet achieving that feat at altitude remains a rarity, underlining a time loss of 8-12 seconds depending on elevation.
In a team sport context, the demands on players are even greater. While England is aware of the scale of the task and realizes they cannot underestimate Mexico, the challenges associated with recovery may impact their performance moving forward.
“My primary concern as an athlete would not be the match duration but rather how exhausted they will be afterward,” Elson stated. England could face Brazil or Norway in the quarter-finals in the heat of Miami following this match.
“Even with adrenaline, players feel the fatigue post-match. The real issues arise during recovery after intense exertion,” he noted.
Thus, England must balance their strategy in beating Mexico while considering how to recover effectively for the subsequent match.
Additionally, there’s the consideration that many players in the Mexican squad, including those like Jimenez and Quinonez who play abroad, aren’t necessarily accustomed to playing at altitude. However, the Mexican side has significantly benefited from playing nearly all their matches at the Azteca, and their pre-tournament training camp was also held in their home country. As Sunday’s match unfolds, the impact of preparation on performance will become evident.