Mexico and England meet on Monday, July 6, at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City in the Round of 16 of the Football World Cup in 2026, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
Only one previous World Cup meeting separates these nations: England beat Mexico 2-0 in the 1966 group stage on their way to lifting the trophy. Sixty years on, the Estadio Azteca provides the backdrop for one of the most compelling Round of 16 fixtures of the tournament. This blog covers how to watch Mexico vs England live, team news, squad lists, tactical analysis, and everything else you need ahead of kick-off.
Key Details
- Date: Sunday, July 5 / Monday, July 6, 2026
- Kick-off Time: 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT (USA) | 1:00 a.m. BST Monday (UK) | 7:00 p.m. CDT (Mexico City)
- Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico (Capacity: 87,523)
- Where to Watch: FOX (USA) | BBC One / BBC iPlayer (UK) | Telemundo (USA Spanish) | Bell Media (Canada) | SBS (Australia)
Where to Watch Mexico vs. England Football World Cup Match?
In the United States, Mexico vs England airs live on FOX in English, with Telemundo and Universo providing Spanish language coverage. All matches can also be streamed via FOX One, the official FOX Sports streaming app.
In the United Kingdom, BBC One and BBC iPlayer hold the rights for this fixture, making it free to air for all UK viewers. ITV holds joint rights for other matches in the tournament but BBC is confirmed as the broadcaster for this tie.
In Australia, SBS is the free to air home of the 2026 Football World Cup. Canadian viewers can access the match through Bell Media properties.
How to Watch Mexico vs. England with a VPN
If you are outside the UK and want to access the BBC iPlayer free stream, a VPN lets you unlock that coverage from anywhere in the world.
BBC iPlayer is geoblocked to the United Kingdom, so connecting via a UK server gives you a British IP address and full free access to the live broadcast.
Here is how to do it in four steps:
- Sign up for PureVPN and install the app on your device.
- Connect to a UK server to obtain a British IP address.
- Visit BBC iPlayer and sign in or create a free account.
- Search for the Mexico vs England match and start streaming live.
Always check your local laws regarding VPN usage and the terms of service of the platform you are accessing.
Mexico vs. England Football World Cup in 2026 Team News
Mexico Team News
Javier Aguirre is in his third spell as Mexico head coach, having previously led El Tri at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups. The experienced 66 year old returned to the role in mid-2024 and immediately restored defensive discipline and a clear tactical identity to the squad.
Under Aguirre, Mexico won the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League and the 2025 Gold Cup, beating the United States 2-1 in the Gold Cup final in Houston. That silverware gave the squad competitive momentum heading into the tournament as one of three host nations.
Captain Edson Alvarez, the defensive midfielder on loan at Fenerbahce from West Ham, leads the side. Veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, 40, is making his record sixth World Cup appearance, adding leadership and experience behind a compact backline. Forward Julian Quinones has been Mexico’s standout player of the tournament so far, scoring in the opener against South Africa and again in the Round of 32 win over Ecuador, with Raul Jimenez providing the focal point up front.
Mexico qualified automatically as co-hosts, confirmed in February 2023. Without the pressure of CONCACAF qualifying, Aguirre used regional tournaments and friendlies to prepare. Henry Martin, Luis Angel Malagon, and Rodrigo Huescas all missed the squad through injury, while Hirving Lozano was left out amid disciplinary concerns and limited playing time at San Diego FC.
The squad includes 17 year old midfielder Gilberto Mora, who became Mexico’s youngest ever World Cup player. The teenager scored three goals and assisted two at the U20 World Cup in 2025 and adds an unpredictable dimension to Aguirre’s options in attack.
England Team News
Thomas Tuchel took charge of England in early 2025 and guided the Three Lions through UEFA World Cup qualifying with a 100 per cent record, winning all eight games without conceding. The German tactician won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea in 2020-21 and brings serial winner credentials to the role.
England’s squad announcement in May 2026 was widely described as one of the most shocking selections in recent memory. Tuchel left out Phil Foden and Cole Palmer, both of whom had injury affected club seasons. Harry Maguire was omitted with Trevoh Chalobah later replacing the injured Tino Livramento as a late call-up.
Captain Harry Kane arrives at his third World Cup in the form of his life. The Bayern Munich striker scored 36 Bundesliga goals in 31 games as Bayern won the German title, and came into the tournament with 78 England goals. He scored twice in the Round of 32 comeback win over DR Congo.
Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid, Declan Rice of Arsenal, and Bukayo Saka round out a midfield and attacking unit loaded with elite European club experience. Marcus Rashford, revitalised at Barcelona with eight La Liga goals and seven assists, was recalled after missing Euro 2024 and adds pace and directness from wide positions.
England completed warm-up wins over New Zealand and Costa Rica in Florida before the tournament. They are based at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City throughout the competition.
Mexico World Cup Squad
- Goalkeepers: Raul Rangel, Carlos Acevedo, Guillermo Ochoa
- Defenders: Edson Alvarez, Mateo Chavez, Jesus Gallardo, Cesar Montes, Israel Reyes, Jorge Sanchez, Johan Vasquez
- Midfielders: Luis Chavez, Alvaro Fidalgo, Brian Gutierrez, Erik Lira, Gilberto Mora, Luis Romo, Orbelin Pineda, Obed Vargas
- Forwards: Roberto Alvarado, Santiago Gimenez, Armando Gonzalez, Cesar Huerta, Raul Jimenez, Guillermo Martinez, Julian Quinones, Alexis Vega
England World Cup Squad
- Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford
- Defenders: Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Trevoh Chalobah, Dan Burn, Reece James, Djed Spence, Jarell Quansah
- Midfielders: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Eberechi Eze, Morgan Rogers
- Forwards: Harry Kane, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke
Mexico vs. England Match Preview
Mexico and England meet at the Estadio Azteca on July 5 local time in a fixture that carries the weight of two footballing cultures, 60 years of World Cup history, and the unique drama of a home crowd of 87,000 roaring for El Tri at altitude.
Mexico have been the story of the tournament’s early stages. Aguirre’s side have not conceded a single goal through four matches, with Ochoa barely tested behind a compact, well organised defensive block. Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez provided the cutting edge in a 2-0 win over Ecuador in the Round of 32 that was controlled rather than frantic.
England survived a genuine scare against DR Congo in Atlanta. They trailed before Kane’s late double completed a 2-1 comeback win. Tuchel’s side have shown resilience and an ability to deliver in moments of pressure, but they were far from fluent.
Tactical Outlook: Aguirre’s Mexico are expected to set up in a mid-to-low block in the first 45 minutes, pressing aggressively at altitude to force England into errors. The Azteca at 2,200 metres above sea level creates a physiological disadvantage for England’s squad that no amount of preparation fully eliminates. Mexico will look to spring Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez in transition, with Erik Lira and Luis Romo providing the defensive cover that allows Alvarez to press higher. Tuchel’s plan will likely centre on Kane dropping deep to link play and bypass Mexico’s press, with Bellingham arriving late in the box and Saka carrying the ball in behind the defensive line. The key tactical matchup is Declan Rice against Mexico’s midfield press: if England’s midfield anchor can receive and distribute calmly, Tuchel’s side can control possession despite the crowd and altitude. If Rice is rushed, Mexico will grow in confidence and volume.
Football World Cup in 2026 Match Schedule
| Date | Day | Match |
|---|---|---|
| July 4 | Friday | Canada vs Morocco (Round of 16) |
| July 4 | Friday | Paraguay vs France (Round of 16) |
| July 5 | Saturday | Brazil vs Norway (Round of 16) |
| July 5/6 | Sat/Sun | Mexico vs England (Round of 16) |
| July 5 | Saturday | Portugal vs Spain (Round of 16) |
| July 6 | Sunday | USA vs Belgium (Round of 16) |
| July 6 | Sunday | Round of 16 Match 95 |
| July 6 | Sunday | Round of 16 Match 96 |
| July 10 | Thursday | Quarter-final 1 |
| July 11 | Friday | Quarter-final 2 (England potential) |
| July 15 | Wednesday | Semi-final 1 |
| July 19 | Sunday | World Cup Final, MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
2026 Football World Cup Preview
This year’s 2026 Football World Cup is shaping up to be the most ambitious and expansive edition of football’s grandest stage. The 23rd edition of the tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
For the first time ever, three nations are co-hosting the Football World Cup; a milestone that reflects both the scale of the event and the growing global footprint of the beautiful game.
2026 Football World Cup Format Explained: 48 Nations, 104 Matches
An expanded Football World Cup will feature 48 teams, 16 more than in Qatar 2022, and take place across three host nations for the first time. This expansion fundamentally changes the tournament’s structure.
The competition consists of 12 groups of four teams, with each team playing three matches in their respective groups. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams across the tournament advance to the knockout Round of 32.
With 32 teams advancing, the knockout stage now includes a Round of 32, a Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final, meaning there will be 104 matches in total, 40 more than in Qatar. As a result, this Football World Cup lasts 39 days instead of the roughly 32 days of previous tournaments.
16 Host Cities Across 3 Nations in the 2026 Football World Cup
There are 16 host cities in total, with 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
The cities where games take place include Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; Monterrey, Mexico City, and Guadalajara in Mexico; and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, and New York/New Jersey in the United States.
The opening match was especially historic. The tournament kicked off at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Mexico faced South Africa, making it one of the most iconic venues in Football World Cup history and the first stadium to host games at three different men’s Football World Cups.
The final is set for an equally iconic setting. The knockout stage will conclude with the final, to be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19.
The Stars to Watch in the 2026 Football World Cup
The 2026 Football World Cup features a massive mix of established superstars and next-generation talent. Here are the names central to the tournament conversation:
Established Legends
- Lionel Messi — Argentina’s captain, widely expected to play his final Football World Cup
- Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal’s all-time icon, also likely bowing out on the biggest stage
Elite Europeans
- Kylian Mbappé — France’s generational superstar and title favourite
- Erling Haaland — Norway’s goal machine making his Football World Cup debut
- Jude Bellingham — England’s midfield engine and creative force
- Jamal Musiala — Germany’s technically gifted young star
- Lamine Yamal — Spain’s teenage sensation
- Harry Kane — England’s all-time top scorer hunting major honours
South American Powerhouses
- Vinícius Júnior — Brazil’s electric winger and Ballon d’Or contender
- Federico Valverde — Uruguay’s tireless and technically brilliant midfielder
North American Heroes
- Alphonso Davies — Canada’s captain and fan favourite on home soil
- Christian Pulisic — The face of US soccer playing in front of a home crowd
African Star
- Mohamed Salah — Egypt’s legendary forward bringing vast club experience to the global stage
For Messi and Ronaldo, this will likely be their final Football World Cups, giving the tournament an unmistakably emotional dimension as two of the greatest players in football history bow out on the grandest stage.
2026 Football World Cup Knockout Stage: The Road to the Final
The knockout stage of the 2026 Football World Cup is the second and final stage of the competition, played from June 28 to July 19, 2026. The top two teams from each of the twelve groups, along with the best eight third-place teams, have advanced to compete in a single-elimination tournament.
The 2026 World Cup is ready to enter its knockout stage. Here's how the tournament's next phase differs from the group stage. https://t.co/ZUtq2tVWQo
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) June 28, 2026
Football World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage Schedule
| Round | Date | Match / Fixture |
|---|---|---|
| Round of 32 | June 28 | Canada vs. South Africa |
| Round of 32 | Monday, June 29 | Brazil vs. Japan |
| Round of 32 | Monday, June 29 | Germany vs. Paraguay |
| Round of 32 | Monday, June 29 | Netherlands vs. Morocco |
| Round of 32 | Tuesday, June 30 | Ivory Coast vs. Norway |
| Round of 32 | Tuesday, June 30 | France vs. Sweden |
| Round of 32 | Tuesday, June 30 | Mexico vs. Ecuador |
| Round of 32 | Wednesday, July 1 | England vs. DR Congo |
| Round of 32 | Wednesday, July 1 | Belgium vs. Senegal |
| Round of 32 | Wednesday, July 1 | USA vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina |
| Round of 32 | Thursday, July 2 | Spain vs. Austria |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Portugal vs. Croatia |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Switzerland vs. Algeria |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Australia vs. Egypt |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Argentina vs. Cape Verde |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Colombia vs. Ghana |
⚽ FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Fixtures ⚽
— World of StatHistics (@Stat_Cult) June 28, 2026
🗓️ Sunday, June 28
🇿🇦 South Africa – Canada 🇨🇦 →
🏟️ Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi)
🗓️ Monday, June 29
🔥 🇧🇷 Brazil – Japan 🇯🇵 →
🏟️ Houston Stadium (NRG)
🇩🇪 Germany – Paraguay 🇵🇾 →
🏟️ Boston Stadium (Gillette)
🇳🇱 Netherlands –… pic.twitter.com/Upoc5irwla
2026 Football World Cup Host Stadiums
| Stadium Name | Host City | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Stadium | Toronto | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 45,000 |
| BC Place Vancouver | Vancouver | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | 54,000 |
| Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico City, Mexico | 83,000 |
| Estadio Guadalajara | Guadalajara | Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico | 48,000 |
| Estadio Monterrey | Monterrey | Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico | 53,500 |
| Atlanta Stadium | Atlanta | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | 75,000 |
| Boston Stadium | Boston | Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA | 65,000 |
| Dallas Stadium | Dallas | Arlington, Texas, USA | 94,000 |
| NRG Stadium | Houston | Houston, Texas, USA | 72,000 |
| Kansas City Stadium | Kansas City | Kansas City, Missouri, USA | 73,000 |
| Los Angeles Stadium | Los Angeles | Inglewood, California, USA | 70,000 |
| Miami Stadium | Miami | Miami Gardens, Florida, USA | 65,000 |
| MetLife Stadium | New York/New Jersey | East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA | 82,500 |
| Philadelphia Stadium | Philadelphia | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA | 69,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium) | San Francisco Bay Area | Santa Clara, California, USA | 71,000 |
| Seattle Stadium | Seattle | Seattle, Washington, USA | 69,000 |
Mexico has 3 stadiums like this and still got just 13 matches to host and USA is hosting 78 matches.
— Rahul Raj (@RahulRajVerse) June 28, 2026
Mexico is definitely Robbed😢😭 pic.twitter.com/HMyhQJ1Xhk
Prize Money and Commercial Scale of the 2026 Football World Cup
The prize money for this Football World Cup was confirmed at an official meeting in Doha. The prize fund is up 50 per cent on that of the 2022 Football World Cup in Qatar, and each team also receives $1.5m to cover preparation costs, meaning every team is guaranteed at least $10.5m.
The United States last hosted the men’s Football World Cup in 1994, and that tournament still holds the record as the most attended Football World Cup with 3.6 million fans. That record will certainly be shattered in 2026 with fans entering turnstiles in three countries.
2026 Football World Cup Official Broadcasters
| Country/Region | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | ATN |
| Albania | TV Klan |
| Algeria | ENTV |
| Andorra | RTVE, M6, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Angola | Z Sports |
| Argentina | Telefe, TV Pública, TyC Sports |
| Armenia | Fast Sports |
| Aruba | Telearuba |
| Australia | SBS |
| Austria | ORF, ServusTV, Magenta Sport |
| Azerbaijan | İTV |
| Bangladesh | TBA |
| Belize | Nexgen |
| Belgium | VRT, RTBF |
| Bolivia | Red Uno, Unitel, Entel, Tigo Sports |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Arena Sport |
| Brazil | Grupo Globo, CazéTV, SBT/N Sports |
| Brunei | TBA |
| Bulgaria | BNT |
| Cambodia | Hang Meas |
| Canada | Bell Media |
| Caribbean | Rush Sports |
| Chile | Chilevisión |
| China | CCTV, Migu, Xiaohongshu |
| Colombia | Caracol, RCN, Win Sports |
| Costa Rica | Teletica, Tigo Sports |
| Croatia | HRT |
| Curaçao | Nos Pais Television |
| Cyprus | Sigma TV |
| Czechia | ČT, TV Nova |
| Denmark | DR, TV2 |
| Dominican Republic | CDN 37, Pio Deportes |
| Ecuador | Teleamazonas |
| El Salvador | TCS, Tigo Sports |
| Estonia | TV3 Estonia, ERR |
| Ethiopia | Hagerie TV |
| Fiji | FBC |
| Finland | Yle, MTV3 |
| France (Metropolitan) | M6, beIN Sports |
| France (Ultramarine) | Antenne Réunion, La 1ère |
| Georgia | Setanta Sports, Rustavi 2 |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF, Magenta Sport |
| Ghana | ChannelOne TV |
| Greece | ERT |
| Guatemala | Albavisión, Tigo Sports |
| Haiti | TNH |
| Honduras | Televicentro, Tigo Sports |
| Hong Kong | PCCW |
| Hungary | MTVA |
| Iceland | RÚV |
| India | Unite8 Sports (Zee) |
| Indonesia | TVRI, FolaPlay, Telkomsel |
| Ireland | RTÉ |
| Israel | KAN, Charlton |
| Italy | RAI, DAZN |
| Ivory Coast | RTI, NCI |
| Jamaica | TVJ |
| Japan | NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV, DAZN |
| Kazakhstan | QAZTRK |
| Kenya | Azam TV |
| Kosovo | RTK, TV Vala, Arena Sport |
| Kyrgyzstan | KTRK, Beeline Ukmush TV |
| Laos | TBA |
| Latvia | TV3 Latvia |
| Liechtenstein | SRG SSR |
| Lithuania | TV3 Lithuania |
| Luxembourg | RTBF, M6, ARD, ZDF |
| Macau | TDM |
| Malawi | Azam TV |
| Malaysia | RTM, Unifi TV |
| Maldives | ICE Networks |
| Malta | Television Malta |
| Mauritius | MBC |
| Mexico | TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca |
| MENA | beIN Sports |
| Mongolia | EduTV, National Television, Suld TV, MNB, Mobihome VOO |
| Montenegro | RTCG, Arena Sport |
| Morocco | SNRT |
| Mozambique | Miramar, Z Sports |
| Myanmar | TBA |
| Nepal | Himalaya Sports, Dgo |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| New Zealand | TVNZ |
| Nicaragua | Grupo Ratensa, Tigo Sports |
| North Macedonia | Arena Sport |
| Norway | NRK, TV2 |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Tapmad |
| Panama | RPC/COS, TVN Media, Tigo Sports |
| Paraguay | Trece, GEN TV |
| Peru | América Televisión |
| Philippines | Aleph Arena, TAP DMV, Cignal PPV |
| Poland | TVP |
| Portugal | Sport TV, RTP, SIC, TVI, LiveModeTV |
| Romania | Antena |
| Russia | Match TV |
| Rwanda | Azam TV |
| Saint Lucia | Winners Sports TV |
| San Marino | RAI, DAZN |
| Senegal | RTS |
| Serbia | PTC, Arena Sport |
| Singapore | Mediacorp |
| Slovakia | RTVS, TV JOJ |
| Slovenia | RTV SLO, Arena Sport |
| South Africa | SABC, SportyTV |
| South America | DSports, Disney+ |
| South Korea | JTBC, KBS, NAVER Sports, CHZZK |
| Spain | RTVE, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Sri Lanka | TBA |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | New World TV, SuperSport |
| Suriname | STVS, ATV |
| Sweden | SVT, TV4 |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR |
| Taiwan | ELTA, EBC, TTV |
| Tajikistan | Varzish TV |
| Tanzania | Azam TV |
| Thailand | TBA |
| Timor-Leste | RTTL, ETO |
| Turkey | TRT |
| Turkmenistan | Quest Sports Media |
| Uganda | Azam TV |
| Ukraine | MEGOGO |
| United Kingdom | STV (Central & Northern Scotland), BBC, ITV |
| United States | Fox Sports (English), Telemundo (Spanish) |
| Uruguay | Canal 5, Antel TV |
| Uzbekistan | Zo’r TV |
| Vanuatu | VBTC |
| Venezuela | Televen |
| Vietnam | VTV |
| Zambia | Azam TV |
| Zimbabwe | Azam TV |
2026 Football World Cup: A Tournament for the Ages
This year’s 2026 Football World Cup is more than a football tournament; it is a cultural event spanning an entire continent. The tournament is expected to be the largest Football World Cup ever by both attendance and scale, and is also expected to expand the reach of football across North America.
With legendary players potentially playing their last Football World Cups, host nations hungry for glory, and a brand-new format delivering more football than ever before, the summer of 2026 promises to be utterly unforgettable for fans around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mexico vs England takes place on Sunday, July 5 local time (Monday, July 6 at 1:00 a.m. BST in the UK) at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Kick-off in the United States is 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT on FOX.
This is a Round of 16 fixture. Mexico topped Group A after winning all three group stage matches and beating Ecuador 2-0 in the Round of 32. England won Group L and came from behind to beat DR Congo 2-1.
Mexico won all three group stage games without conceding, then beat Ecuador 2-0 in the Round of 32. Julian Quinones has been their standout player, scoring in multiple matches. They entered the England tie with four wins and four clean sheets.
Harry Kane is England’s primary attacking weapon. The Bayern Munich striker came into the tournament with 78 international goals and scored a late double against DR Congo to seal England’s Round of 32 progress. He has scored in World Cup knockout matches before and his runs into the box create problems for any defence.
The Estadio Azteca sits at approximately 2,200 metres above sea level in Mexico City. At that altitude, players experience reduced oxygen, which affects cardiovascular performance and recovery during the match. Mexico train and play regularly at this altitude, giving them a clear physiological advantage over an England squad arriving from sea-level bases.
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