Friedel dismisses Mexico as 'so average' but warns England not to concede early at altitude

Brad Friedel has called Mexico “so average” ahead of their World Cup round-of-16 clash with England, but cautioned Thomas Tuchel’s side that the altitude of the Azteca Stadium could prove decisive if they repeat the slow start that nearly cost them against DR Congo.

England survived a scare in Atlanta on Wednesday, coming from a goal down to beat DR Congo 2-1, with Harry Kane scoring twice late on after Brian Cipenga’s opener had silenced the crowd. The result confirmed a last-16 meeting with co-hosts Mexico, who are the only team alongside France to have won all four of their group-stage matches.

Mexico have played three of their four 2026 World Cup games at the Azteca Stadium, which sits 7,220 feet above sea level. The thin air at that altitude significantly reduces stamina and sprint capacity for players unaccustomed to the conditions — a factor Friedel acknowledged enhances the hosts’ threat, even as he questioned their quality.

“Mexico is so average guys, they’re so average. I’ve played against them for years — because they’re playing at altitude, they look faster than anybody,” the former goalkeeper said on the Netflix Rest is Football show. “They’re an average, below average, they are so beatable and their fans get on them. I don’t care if they play a low block or a high block, they score, just get through the first 15 minutes and they will win the game.”

Friedel, who made 450 Premier League appearances during his career, was particularly pointed in his warning about the opening stages. He argued that England’s players will be physically spent before the first hydration break if they are chasing the game uphill in the altitude.

“Just don’t concede the first goal — what they try to do is suffocate you,” he added. “They’ve created five chances in each of the games but the players are dead after 20 minutes because they’re fighting this uphill battle. England are so much better than them. It’d be a complete shame if they were knocked out because of the altitude.”

England have been based in Kansas City throughout the group stage, travelling to each venue as required. Reports indicate the squad will fly to Mexico City on Friday afternoon ahead of the weekend fixture. Tuchel has already acknowledged the challenge of preparing for such extreme conditions at short notice.

“It is maybe one of the most beautiful fixtures, most exciting fixtures than you can have,” Tuchel said of the draw, speaking immediately after the DR Congo win.