Thomas Tuchel has admitted that England will head into their FIFA World Cup round-of-16 clash with Mexico at a significant disadvantage, with the head coach conceding there is no realistic way for his players to acclimatise to the extreme altitude of Mexico City's Azteca Stadium in time for the match.

The game is scheduled for Monday, 6 July at 01:00 BST, following Harry Kane's brace against DR Congo that sealed England's place in the last 16. The Azteca Stadium sits at roughly 7,200ft above sea level, where reduced barometric pressure thins the air and limits the oxygen available to athletes with every breath — a factor that could prove decisive over 90 minutes.

Mexico's clear edge

While England face this challenge fresh, Mexico have spent the entire tournament competing at high altitude. Three of their four World Cup matches took place at the Azteca Stadium itself, with the fourth held in Guadalajara, which sits at around 5,000ft above sea level. Their squad arrives well adjusted to the conditions.

"The altitude will be a big disadvantage because we cannot physically adapt to it," Tuchel said. "It just takes too much time. We have only three days in between these matches. It's physically just not possible to adapt to the altitude. That is just a huge advantage that Mexico will have."

The England head coach acknowledged the scale of the obstacle but struck a defiant tone. "In four days, it's just impossible. More obstacles may come, but we are ready for that. This is just something with which we will have to deal. And I think we showed the attitude that we are ready for that."

Pressure not a factor, says Tuchel

England carry the weight of 60 years without a World Cup trophy into every tournament, and that expectation can affect performance — yet Tuchel pushed back firmly on the idea that it had influenced his side's showing against DR Congo.

"I did not see any of that," he said. "It would be so easy to give in and to accept that narrative. I didn't see any of that, and that is a very, very good sign."

A message for young fans

The 01:00 BST kick-off time raises an obvious question for families across England, and Tuchel had an endearing answer when asked whether parents should allow their children to stay up and watch.

"Write an excuse for school and let them watch," he said. "There's so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch. There will be a big match in four days, and we need the support of everyone, especially the children."

The match will be broadcast live across BBC TV, radio, and online.