England Adds 2 Nights in Mexico City, Offers Sleep Aids as Altitude Threatens Last-16 Tie
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 2
England Adds 2 Nights in Mexico City, Offers Sleep Aids as Altitude Threatens Last-16 Tie
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 2
Summary
England will arrive in Mexico City on Friday—two nights before Sunday's last-16 match with Mexico—and offer players ear plugs, sleep bands, natural remedies or white-noise machines to protect rest.
The precautions follow Ecuador's complaint to Fifa that Mexico fans used loudspeakers, horns and motorcycles outside their team hotel before the round-of-32 game, raising fears England's hotel could also be exposed.
Thomas Tuchel's side also switched plans to train in Mexico rather than Kansas, partly because Fifa requires a part-open session the day before the match.
Altitude remains the bigger sporting concern: Mexico City sits about 2,240 metres above sea level, and Tuchel said England cannot physically adapt in four days while Mexico have played all four World Cup games in high-altitude conditions.