Top News

As England gear up to face Mexico in the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, much of the pre-match discussion has centred around the challenging altitude and the electrifying atmosphere awaiting the Three Lions.

Anyone following the build-up will have come across one statistic repeatedly — Mexico’s formidable record at their legendary home ground, the Estadio Azteca.

Since its inauguration in 1966, Mexico have registered 70 wins, 17 draws, and only two defeats in 89 competitive fixtures at the venue — an intimidating figure for England supporters. But just how remarkable is this record when examined more closely?

Mexico’s record at the Mexico City stadium indeed looks daunting, with victories over football heavyweights such as Brazil, Belgium, and the USA recorded in its illustrious history.

Those figures are impressive regardless of the opposition’s quality, especially when compared to England’s record — the Three Lions have suffered three defeats at Wembley in just the past six years, against Denmark and Greece in the Nations League, and Italy in the delayed Euro 2020 final.

Furthermore, Mexico remain unbeaten at the Azteca in World Cup history. Across the 1970, 1986, and now 2026 tournaments, the co-hosts have secured nine wins and two draws. Before this year, those victories came against Belgium, Iraq, Bulgaria, and El Salvador, with Mexico being eliminated at other venues on both occasions.

In this summer’s tournament, El Tri have defeated South Africa, the Czech Republic, and Ecuador at their home ground — the win over Ecuador marking their first World Cup knockout victory on home soil since 1986.

In other competitive matches, including World Cup qualifiers, Mexico’s list of triumphs features Jamaica (eight times), the USA (seven), Canada (six), Panama (six), Costa Rica (five), Trinidad & Tobago (three), and Bermuda (twice), along with wins over Guyana, Guatemala, Haiti, and Martinique, among others.

Mexico’s last defeat at the Azteca came in 2013, when Honduras beat them 2-1 during the qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup.

Since then, El Tri have played 26 times at the venue, defeating teams like New Zealand, Israel, and Scotland, while drawing against Portugal. Notably, Panama and Honduras appear four times each among their recent wins, with Costa Rica and El Salvador each featuring twice.

Still, these statistics don’t necessarily reflect the strength of Mexico’s current generation. So how have the modern players fared at home?

Since the conclusion of the 2022 World Cup, Mexico have played only six matches at the Azteca, including friendlies. Three of those have been part of this World Cup, while the others include a win over Honduras and draws against Portugal and Jamaica.

Thus, while the Azteca record looks impressive on paper, the reality is that since that 2013 defeat, their victories have largely come against teams ranked no higher than 30th in the world, the best of which is Canada.

Of course, El Tri’s recent success in regional competitions is a more accurate measure of their form. Their triumphs in the 2025 Gold Cup and Nations League have reaffirmed their status as North America’s strongest footballing nation — a fact that Thomas Tuchel and his coaching staff will surely have studied closely.

Aside from Portugal, England will be the strongest side to visit the Azteca for a competitive fixture since Brazil’s appearance in the 2003 Gold Cup. So, while altitude and atmosphere are genuine challenges, the home record doesn’t necessarily tell the complete story.

As for England’s own history at the Azteca, they have played there twice, both during the 1986 World Cup. The Three Lions defeated Paraguay 3-0 before famously losing to Argentina in the quarter-finals. Tuchel has hinted that fate might offer England a chance to exorcise the ghosts of that defeat to Diego Maradona’s side.

It’s true that England must make history to progress — no team has ever beaten El Tri at the Azteca in a World Cup. But as the saying goes, there’s always a first time for everything.