Marcus Rashford is well aware that Mexico’s home field at Estadio Azteca sits more than 7,000 feet above sea level. He just doesn’t care.
England’s forward, speaking ahead of a World Cup Round of 16 clash against Mexico, waved off concerns that the thin air at Azteca gives El Tri a built-in edge. The stadium’s high altitude can leave visiting players gasping for breath by the second half, but Rashford isn’t buying the narrative that it’s a problem England can’t solve.
“It’s going to be tough. There are no easy games in the World Cup,” Rashford said Friday. “Different teams bring different problems to us. It’s up to us on the pitch and on the training ground to find new solutions.”
He added: “The altitude obviously plays a factor but it’s not something that we’re worried about or anything like that. We’re all experienced players. We have to manage the game.”
England barely made it through their final group match against DR Congo, needing two second-half goals from Harry Kane to pull out a 2-1 win after falling behind. Rashford started that game and struggled to get anything going before getting hooked for Anthony Gordon, the new Barcelona signing. It wasn’t his night. But the team survived, and now they get Mexico on an even bigger stage.
Mexico has looked sharp all tournament. They’re fast, organized, and comfortable at altitude. The Three Lions, by contrast, have spent most of their camp at sea level in England and then at lower-elevation venues in the group stage. The drop-off in oxygen at Azteca is real. But Rashford insists the squad has the experience to adjust on the fly.
The 28-year-old is also carrying some personal uncertainty into this game. Barcelona decided not to make his loan move permanent. So where he plays next season is still up in the air. Rashford admitted he expected that situation to be settled before the World Cup started. But it’s not, and he says he’s not letting it distract him.
“Me as a person, I live in the moment,” he said. “I was very clear with everyone involved before the World Cup. I wanted it done before but if it’s not, then I won’t be dealing with it until after because I want to be fully present in this moment and at the same time we’re fighting to do something so special.”
Some reports have suggested a return to Manchester United is still possible. His contract runs through 2028. But nothing is done yet, and Rashford isn’t sounding the alarm. For now, it’s all about Mexico and the knockout round.
England knows that if they can survive the altitude and the atmosphere — Azteca is notoriously loud and hostile for visiting teams — they’ve got the talent to make a deep run. Mexico knows the same thing. Something has to give.
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