Declan Rice Prepares for Challenging World Cup Match Against Mexico

As England gears up for their World Cup clash against Mexico, midfielder Declan Rice reflects on the challenges posed by the iconic Azteca Stadium and the passionate home crowd. He emphasizes that the team's focus remains on performance rather than the venue. Despite concerns about weather affecting the match timing, it is confirmed to kick off as scheduled. Rice's insights reveal the team's determination to treat this historic stadium like any other as they aim for victory.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 4, 2026, 22:23 IST

Rice Discusses the Challenge of Playing in Mexico

Declan Rice, the England midfielder, expressed that the forthcoming World Cup match against Mexico will resemble an away game due to the strong support from Mexican fans. He emphasized that England's primary focus is on their performance rather than the location of the match. Rice also recognized the historical importance of the Azteca Stadium, famous for its legendary football moments, but insisted that England will approach it like any other venue, aiming to 'do a job' during the game.

Rice on the 'Away Game' Atmosphere and Azteca's History

"It’s going to feel like an away game for us. Mexico has played all their matches at home during this tournament, so we need to be prepared for what lies ahead," Rice stated in an interview with Lions' Den. He added, "We don’t mind where we play; to us, it’s just another stadium. The Azteca is famous for moments like Maradona's 'Hand of God', but we’re just there to perform. It will be an incredible experience, but ultimately, it’s just another ground for us to play on."

Match Timing Remains the Same Despite Weather Warnings

The highly anticipated FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 match between England and Mexico at the renowned Azteca Stadium is set to commence on Monday at 1 am UK time, as initially planned. This comes despite earlier reports suggesting a potential change in timing due to adverse weather conditions, as noted by a sports news outlet. Thunderstorms are predicted to impact the match around kick-off time, leading to speculation that FIFA might adjust the schedule by moving it forward by six hours, with discussions ongoing between the English and Mexican football associations.