Fans Fired Fireworks Outside England’s Hotel. The Players Thought It Was Funny.

With a World Cup elimination match just hours away, some Mexican fans decided to take matters into their own hands. Their method of choice? Drums, car engines and enough fireworks to make you think it was New Year’s Eve.

They gathered outside the hotel where England’s players were staying, hoping the noise would keep Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and the rest of the squad awake ahead of Monday’s Round of 16 clash. The idea was simple: if you can’t beat them on the field, maybe exhaust them off it.

Blowing off steam, literally

The group set up with large drums and set off fireworks well into the night. They revved their engines and sang songs aimed at rattling the visitors. According to reports from the UK’s Daily Mail, the whole thing was more of a spectacle than a real disruption. The English stars, by most accounts, were more amused than annoyed.

Police eventually showed up and broke up the party. The troublemakers were moved along without major incident. It’s worth noting that England’s hotel security is generally tight, and the team reportedly slept fine.

What’s at stake for Mexico

Mexico, playing on home soil under Javier Aguirre, has a tough draw. England came into the tournament as one of the favorites, and the knockouts are where the stakes get real. For El Tri, this isn’t just about advancing. It’s about proving they belong in the conversation with the sport’s elite programs.

But the fan stunt, while creative, speaks to something deeper: the feeling that Mexican supporters will do anything to help their team. It’s not the first time fans have tried to gain an edge through noise and disruption. In past tournaments, visiting teams have dealt with blaring music outside hotels and late-night demonstrations. This was just the latest version.

Did it work?

Probably not. England’s squad is used to pressure, noise and hostile environments. If anything, the fireworks gave them a story for the pregame locker room. Still, you can’t blame the fans for trying. In a World Cup where anything can happen, why not throw a few sparklers at the wall and see what sticks?

The match kicks off early Monday morning local time in Mexico. Whether the fans find another trick up their sleeve remains to be seen. But if history is any guide, they’ll keep making noise until the final whistle blows.