FIFA approves roadblocks for England hotel as Mexico fans plot sleepless night before Azteca clash

FIFA has approved roadblocks around England’s team hotel in Mexico City ahead of their World Cup last-16 clash with Mexico at the Azteca on Sunday, after the Football Association raised concerns about fan disruption in the build-up to the game.

The measure was granted on a case-by-case basis, according to FIFA sources, with the high-profile knockout tie deemed sufficient grounds for the security cordon. Despite the FA’s efforts to keep the hotel’s location private, large numbers of Mexico supporters are widely expected to descend on the venue overnight in an attempt to deny Thomas Tuchel’s squad a full night’s sleep.

The fears are grounded in recent precedent. The night before Mexico’s round-of-32 match against Ecuador on Wednesday, thousands of fans gathered outside the Ecuador team hotel, setting off fireworks, chanting, and revving vehicle engines. Mexico won 2-0 the following day, and the Ecuadorian Football Federation has since filed a formal complaint with FIFA over the incident.

England and the FA had hoped to arrive in Mexico City as late as possible — both to limit exposure to the altitude and to reduce the window for fan disruption — but FIFA tournament regulations require teams to be in the host city within 24 hours of kick-off.

“The recommendation is you either go ten days before — which is too long for us — or last minute, which is not allowed,” Tuchel said. “We will go one night earlier. It makes sense.”

The England head coach acknowledged the disruption his players are likely to face but struck a pragmatic tone. “We will expect that of course, but what shall we do? We will bring stuff [like ear plugs] of course, but I expect everything.”

Kick-off at the Azteca is scheduled for 8pm local time on Sunday.