The famous Mexico City Stadium (née Estadio Azteca) will add another historic game to its resume on Sunday: England vs. Mexico in the 2026 World Cup.

It will be a daunting matchup for the Three Lions, who have played their first three games in Dallas, Foxborough, Mass., New Jersey and Atlanta. Those places don’t compare to Mexico City, where they will face an altitude of more than 7,000 feet.

Meanwhile, Mexico has played three of its four games at the hallowed Azteca — called Mexico City Stadium during the World Cup — winning all three by multiple goals for a combined 7-0 scoreline.

Mexico has not lost a competitive home game at the stadium since September 2013 and is 8-2-0 (win-draw-loss) in the 10 World Cup games that it has played there. Overall, El Tri are 70-17-2 at the stadium.

One country that is extremely familiar with playing there: the United States of America. The Americans have an all-time 1-4-9 record at the stadium, including three draws and one win in their last four games there.

Three U.S. soccer veterans — Bob Bradley, Maurice Edu and Walker Zimmerman — told us what it’s like to play at the Azteca ahead of the stadium’s final game of this World Cup.

Bradley coached the U.S. there in a 2009 qualifier that saw the Americans take an early lead through a Charlie Davies goal, only to lose 2-1. Edu started in the only USA win ever at the Azteca in August 2012, while Zimmerman started there in a 2022 World Cup qualifier that ended 0-0.

What was it like arriving at the stadium?

Bradley: It’s an awesome stadium. Every time you play a qualifier there, everything shuts down for the day. I think this stadium is filled by the time you can get into the stadium and look around. People are coming in, and it’s filled even in warmups. So, the players get a sense of everything before the kickoff, so you’re excited to start playing.

Bob Bradley greets Mexico coach Javier Aguirre before a World Cup Qualifying soccer match between the USA and Mexico at Azteco Stadium August 12, 2009, in Mexico City. Aguirre is the current Mexico coach, in his second stint in charge of the team. (Donald Miralle/Getty Images) –>

Edu: I remember when you get to the stadium where the bus drops you off and walk to the locker room, it’s a long, long walk. Along the wall in the hallway, you see photos of these iconic games that have been played at Azteca. You get into the locker room to change, and you start to hear the noise as it gets louder and louder. By the time you’re coming out to warm up, it’s like this deafening buzz.

I always appreciated an atmosphere like that. I love a crazy and passionate environment that has real energy, passion and support. It reminded me of playing at Celtic Park for Rangers in Glasgow. Everyone is screaming at you and wants to steal the shirt off your back.

Angel Reina fights for the ball with Maurice Edu on August 15, 2012. (Miguel Tovar/Getty Images) –>

Zimmerman: We made the mistake of staying at the Four Seasons since it was a nicer hotel even though it was further away from the stadium. So, the day before the game, we went to the Azteca to get a training session in. The bus ride probably took an hour and 45 minutes.

So, the day of the match, we gave ourselves 2 hours with a police escort. I remember pulling up to the stadium, and as soon as we got to the locker room, we had a total of eight minutes to be on the field to warm up because we were so delayed. Guys were getting taped up on the bus, trying to take a nap, get ready as best they could.

Walker Zimmerman reacts to Mexico striker Raul Jimenez during a FIFA World Cup qualifier at Azteca Stadium on March 24, 2022. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images) –>

How big of a factor is altitude?

Bradley: Look, 7,000 feet is a lot, and when you play in the middle of the afternoon, it’s also more difficult because you’re also dealing with the sun and the air quality. The way it affects players is mostly with their ability to recover when they make a hard run. 

So, everything in terms of defensive reactions and recovery becomes a little harder. You’re aware of that, and obviously trying to find the right moments to run and be smart. Players have to read the game well so that they are not putting themselves and the team in tough situations where the game gets wide open, which plays into Mexico’s hands when that is the case.

Bob Bradley looks on during the national anthems. (Donald Miralle/Getty Images) –>

Edu: It’s difficult, man. It really is. Those first few sprints in warmups, when you’re getting ready, you’re not really tested. It’s in the game when you’re trying to get on the end of a cross or sprinting into the box, the moment of transition when you turn around and have to sprint back. That’s when you’re really tested and when you really start to feel how much altitude plays into it.

I think the hydration breaks will help now, because a huge part of playing at that altitude is just weathering the first 15 or 20 minutes of that storm.

Zimmerman: They sent us altitude tents about a month before that cycle of international games began, so I actually slept in that next to my wife. We would go up like 500 feet in altitude every night while monitoring our oxygen levels. You wake up, put a monitor on your finger and see how you are doing. I think I did that for about three weeks.

It’s hard to remember whether it actually worked. What I remember from the game is that we were feeling really good, honestly. I don’t remember too many big chances for Mexico, and it went pretty well.

I didn’t notice the altitude too much because even if it’s tough, what’s the alternative? You sub yourself out? No, you have to dig deep. When you see the other guys around you doing the same, you just kind of keep running through it.

Walker Zimmerman vies for the ball with Mexico’s Erick Gutierrez. (Alfredo Estrella/AFP via Getty Images) –>

What is your lasting memory of playing at the Azteca?

Bradley: One of the best. One of the best. Great atmosphere, great history. And the big challenge when you go there.

Edu: That we won. Although it was a friendly, being in that stadium and being part of that team in a 1-0 win, that’s my lasting memory. I like playing in atmospheres like that where I can help quiet fans down and ultimately get the result. There’s nothing like it.

Zimmerman: I think the stadium is bigger when you’re in it than you realize. I don’t think I was aware of the sheer size of it until you’re in it. You’re just kind of driving around Mexico City and then boom, there it is.

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On the Fourth of July, in front of 72,000 fans deep in the heart of Texas, Morocco reminded everyone that surviving is a skill. Canada threw everything at the Atlas Lions for 45 minutes, and it looked like the co-hosts’ fairytale had another chapter. Then Azzedine Ounahi happened twice.

Morocco won 3-0 to book a quarterfinal date with France or Paraguay, and Canada’s historic run ends in the Round of 16 — with heads high and a country converted.

Here are four takeaways from Houston:

1. Morocco Looked Scared – Then Had An Epiphany

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

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Let’s not sugarcoat the first half: Morocco was rattled. Canada pressed into oblivion, racking up 13 touches in the Moroccan box to Morocco’s one at the other end. Jonathan David tested Yassine Bounou early, Tani Oluwaseyi went one-on-one and was denied, and the loss of Ismael Saibari to injury after 22 minutes only deepened the panic. Seven yellow cards before halftime tell you how frantic it got.

So what changed? The break, mostly. Morocco came out calmer, stopped forcing passes through Canada’s press, and let the game breathe. Five minutes into the second half, Ounahi drilled home from the top of the box off Achraf Hakimi’s delivery, and suddenly the pressure flipped. From there, Morocco played smartly: they sat in, stayed compact, and killed Canada on the counter. It wasn’t a comeback on the scoreboard. It was a comeback of the mind.

2. Canada’s Deepest Run Ever, But The What-Ifs Sting

(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

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This was already the greatest World Cup in Canadian history. A draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto for their first-ever World Cup point. A 6-0 demolition of Qatar featuring a Jonathan David hat-trick. A first-ever knockout win, courtesy of Stephen Eustaquio’s stoppage-time thunderbolt against South Africa.

But the what-ifs will linger. Alphonso Davies, still not fully fit after his brutal injury run, missed the entire group stage and started today on the bench (and never came into the game). Ismael Kone’s tournament ended in horror in Vancouver, fracturing his tibia and fibula against Qatar. And David, so lethal against the Qataris, reverted to his Juventus form when it mattered most — a tactical foul, a yellow card, and a free kick sailed over the bar. Against an opponent this good, your stars have to show up — Canada’s couldn’t.

3. Ounahi, Welcome Back To The World Stage

(Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images)

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Luis Enrique famously asked in 2022: “My God, where does this guy come from?” Four years later, the Girona midfielder is still making people ask. His first was pure filth — a strike from the top of the penalty arc that kissed the bottom corner. His second was pure poise, racing onto Brahim Diaz’s touch on the counter and finishing like a striker. It’s the first World Cup brace by a Moroccan since Salaheddine Bassir buried two against Scotland in 1998.

Morocco’s Azzedine Ounahi Scores BRACE in Round of 16 vs Canada | 2026 FIFA World Cup™

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Morocco needed it because the Saibari news looms large. The new Bayern Munich signing — Morocco’s top scorer at this tournament, who netted in every group game and converted the decisive penalty against the Netherlands — limped off clutching his hamstring. If he’s done, someone else has to carry the scoring load in the quarters. Ounahi just volunteered.

4. Cry If You Want, Canada. Then Smile.

(Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

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Canada fought valiantly to the end, and there’s no shame in falling to a team that made a World Cup semifinal four years ago. The bigger picture is optimistic. This was a nation that hosted World Cup matches on home soil for the first time, packed Toronto and Vancouver, and turned a hockey country into a soccer one for a month.

And the foundation is real. Jesse Marsch has built something coherent and brave — a team that pressed Morocco into a first-half crisis. The core is young: Moise Bombito, Ismael Kone, Davies (still just 25). And David should be in his prime. Canadian football has never been higher. In 2030, nobody will be calling them a cute story. They’ll be calling them a problem.

Canada vs Morocco Extended Highlights 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Round of 16

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Let me take you back to March 2017 at the Under-17 South American championship in Rancagua, south of Santiago in Chile. Brazil’s Under-17 team was facing Colombia in the penultimate match of the South American championship as both aimed to qualify for the U-17 World Cup. 

The teenage squad of the Seleção won convincingly with a 3-0 result (thus eventually winning the tournament and qualification for the aforementioned World Cup) but of all the future stars on the pitch, of all the talent, it was a 16-year-old phenom from Flamengo who had stolen the headlines. 

Vinícius Júnior scored a brace in that match against Colombia and the first goal was a piece of art as he lobbed the goalkeeper from outside the box with no hesitation. It was just the beginning of the magic we are now so accustomed to. 

Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior as a young star back in 2017. (Photo by MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP via Getty Images)

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Consequently, he won the awards for top scorer and player of the tournament and a few months later, Real Madrid agreed to sign the young prodigy for nearly €50 million, the second most expensive transfer of a player in the history of Brazilian football (behind only Neymar). He would eventually join Madrid in July 2018 after his 18th birthday. 

The years have gone by and Vini has won numerous trophies and accolades with the club, including three league titles and two Champions League trophies. But for Brazil, it has been a different story. He only has a runner-up medal at Copa América in 2021 to his name, as he wasn’t part of the winning squad for 2019 due to an ankle ligament injury that forced him to miss the tournament. In 2024, after a strong start in the U.S., he was suspended for the quarterfinal loss to Uruguay and once again, his dream of silverware for Brazil disappeared. 

Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior at the 2026 World Cup. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)

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At the World Cup in 2022, Vinícius was a starter in all but one of Brazil’s five matches and scored his first World Cup goal as part of the team’s 4-1 victory over South Korea in the Round of 16. But the Seleção eventually lost in the quarterfinal stage to Croatia after a penalty shootout.

So the drought continues for the five-time champions. Brazil hasn’t won this esteemed trophy since 2002, when Vinícius was just two years old. And he knows it’s not just about winning. It’s about winning beautifully.

Pele and Brazil winning the 1970 World Cup. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

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The 1970 World Cup victory in Mexico, for example, where Pele – alongside Jairzinho, Gérson, Tostão and Rivellino — won in perfect fashion, as well as painting masterpieces of creativity on the pitch that led to a scintillating 4-1 victory over Italy in the final. Or in 2002, when Ronaldo “O Fenomeno” Nazario, one of my heroes as a teenager, with the likes of Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Cafu, also won every match, including the final over Germany and earning redemption after losing to France four years earlier.  

Ronaldo of Brazil after winning the 2002 World Cup. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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Vini is on a mission to write another page in Brazilian history, after so much disappointment and criticism, including numerous instances of unwarranted and despicable racial abuse and beratement. But he has persevered and danced his way into success and the Round of 16 of the World Cup. 

And so here we are. Another step toward destiny awaits in New Jersey, a skip and a jump from the site of Pelé’s final match in 1977 when the New York Cosmos faced Santos at the former home of the New York Giants. 

The question is: will the music keep playing for him after Sunday, and can Brazil finally break the 24-year drought? 

The Importance of The Ancelotti-Vinícius Relationship

There is a sense that, slowly but surely, that Vinícius – under the tutelage of Carlo Ancelotti – is finally finding form and identity. So far, he has been magnificent, with four goals and one assist, but more than that — he is a threat against the opponent every time he heads towards goal. 

Carlo Ancelotti has a special relationship with Vinícius Junior. (Photo by Hannah Peters – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Sunday’s contest against Erling Haaland and Norway will not be a contest where Brazil will look as the outright favorite. It might have the odds in its favor and, historically, it will have an edge. But Norway, at its strongest, is extremely well coached and with the likes of Haaland, Martin Odegaard and Antonio Nusa—it can definitely become a headache on Sunday. 

I have seen both play at this tournament and they equally offer strengths and weaknesses. The fans also play a massive factor and with Norway, the “Viking Row” has become the 12th man steering the team to strong victories.

Erling Haaland and Norway will be formidable opponents. (Getty)

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But here is where the relationship between Vinícius and Ancelotti becomes a factor. The Italian manager knows Vinícius well from his days in Madrid, helping him find his own identity and self-worth in a team full of superstars. He also made him more prominent in a central role and allowed him to see how he can be a threat from out wide and as a more central attacker.

In fact, per Opta, he has the most carries into the opponent’s box (18) than anyone else in the tournament and has the most xG of any player (3.87) and attempted the second-most shots on target (10). Numbers aside, this has been about Ancelotti molding a leader and a humble teammate. Someone who will do everything to drive his team to victory. 

Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior scores TWICE before the break against Scotland | 2026 FIFA World Cup™

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Vinícius knows that a lot rests on his shoulders because he is now a creative centerpiece for Brazil and even with Neymar in the squad, it is Vinícius who must take Brazil to the promised land once again.

This has also been a long journey for Vinícius, who has been in the spotlight for more than a decade, and it’s incredible to sometimes remember he is still only 25. But none of this matters to him, because he knows Sunday’s match is the most important of his international career.   

We will see. All I know is that if Brazil wants to be back on July 19, it needs the very best of Vinícius Júnior. 

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Warren Barton experienced the full spectrum of human emotions Wednesday while watching England play DR Congo. Elation, nervousness, panic, frustration, relief, pride and everything in between. 

The former England defender, who’s now a FOX Sports World Cup match analyst, was watching on the edge of his seat from Dallas. By the seventh minute of the match, his beloved Three Lions were down 1-0 and remained behind for the next 68 minutes. Dreams of it coming home were evaporating until Harry Kane found the back of the net twice before the final whistle. 

A roller coaster of emotions, Barton joked it all comes with the territory of being an England supporter — but subsequently, so would “a little siesta” to mentally recover.

“It was a slog,” Barton told us after England’s 2-1 win against DR Congo in the 2026 World Cup round of 32 match. “It was a really, really tough game.”

The Three Lions advanced to face Mexico in the round of 16 on Sunday at Mexico City Stadium — also known as Estadio Azteca, a venue sure to provide El Tri with an unparalleled home-field advantage. 

“The atmosphere in the stadium is going to be tremendous,” Barton said, praising Javier Aguirre’s side and World Cup co-hosts.

Between a true home game, the incredible altitude — Mexico City’s elevation is about 2,000 feet higher than mile-high Denver — and the pressure of the World Cup, this knockout match won’t be easy for England. And especially not if it concedes early again. 

As a former pro and current analyst, Barton broke down three keys for how England can beat Mexico, advance to the quarterfinals and keep the dream of football coming home alive. 

1.

Unsurprisingly from a former defender, Barton’s first point was England “no doubt” needing to defend better, particularly at right back. 

He pointed to 25-year-old Djed Spence, who plays for Tottenham Hotspur, perhaps struggling as the unexpected right back with Reece James being sidelined against DR Congo with a hamstring issue. DR Congo’s lone goal of the match was from Spence’s flank, so his inexperience may be showing.

“Spence is a young player, [and he] really burst onto the [English Premier League] with Tottenham this season,” Barton told us. “If you spoke before that, was he going to go to a World Cup? There wasn’t any talk of that, and it was only really in the last three months. So it’s a lot of pressure and responsibility on such a young player.”

(Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) –>

James hasn’t played since the Three Lions’ second group stage match, missing the group-stage finale, a 2-0 win against Panama, and the first knockout contest. Injuries have been an issue for this squad leading up to and throughout the World Cup so far.

“James would normally be the player to come in, the Chelsea fullback, but he’s got history of being injured,” Barton said. “And Tino Livramento — he had to leave early in the tournament because he was injured. So, you’ve picked two right backs that have got history-proven injuries, so hopefully Reese James can come back. Very experienced, good character, was noticeable that he had a chat with Spence. So the right back of defense has to be more solid and more organized.”

Although James’ status for Mexico is uncertain, Barton hopes the defender is able to return and bring some stability to the lineup. Against DR Congo, the FOX Sports analyst said he felt defenders were “overcompensating, over-covering and leaving space behind.”

“James coming in,” Barton continued, “with [Ezri] Konsa with maybe Guéhi and [Nico] O’Reilly — that’s a foundation that they need to do better as a unit and also as individuals, but particularly the right-back areas.”

2.

Taking care of the ball is critical in any sport that plays with one, but Barton hopes to see England being precise with and passing the ball better in the midfield. But also aggressive, rather than timid or complacent.

(Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images) –>

“You [saw manager] Thomas Tuchel [Wednesday] was very much animated about playing progressive soccer,” Barton observed. “He doesn’t like the side-to-side possession. [Elliot] Anderson or [Declan] Rice — that’s where we got that chance earlier on with Harry Kane.

“Passing, progressive soccer, look to try and penetrate early and hurt teams early with the likes of Harry Kane and the speed that we have on the flank. So that’s an area I think we need to improve.”

3.

Simple enough, right? 

Kane — whose Golden Boot odds soared after his brace vs. DR Congo — is the Three Lions’ most reliable goalscorer, meaning he’s also often the victim of strong defensive coverage. But with five goals in this World Cup so far, freeing him up and unlocking his full potential is a necessity for England advancing to the quarterfinals and beyond. 

“Just get Harry Kane the ball, getting it across, keep him engaged in the game as much as possible because he will score goals — there’s no doubt about that,” Barton said. 

He compared Kane’s ability to capitalize on opportunities to Erling Haaland’s, who also has five goals for Norway so far. They’re the kind of players who can score in a multitude of ways if their teammates set them up properly, he said.

“I was lucky enough to play with an England captain, Alan Shearer, at Newcastle [United],” Barton continued. “And he just used to say, ‘Give me the ball. Put the ball in the area, put the ball in the area.’ And you’re going to get chances, and you’re going to get goals. And if you don’t get the first ball, you might get the second ball. …

“Feed Harry Kane. Just give him the opportunity to put him in good areas, and he will score goals. It sounds simple, but it’s so effective to do that.”

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Former England striker Stan Collymore has heavily criticised FIFA for allowing World Cup co-hosts Mexico to play at the high-altitude Estadio Azteca. However, midfielder Declan Rice insists the squad remain completely unfazed by the hostile conditions ahead of their round-of-16 tie.

Host venue sparking controversy

The physical demands of playing at the Estadio Azteca have dominated the build-up to England’s knockout match against Mexico. Situated 2,241 metres above sea level, the historic stadium presents extreme physiological challenges, including rapid fatigue and slower recovery times for unacclimatised players.

Critics have questioned the fairness of the tournament structure, given that Mexico have played their matches exclusively on home soil. This advantage is reflected in their formidable record of just two defeats in 89 competitive matches at the venue.

Collymore demands hosting review

Speaking to BetGoodwin, former England international forward Collymore expressed deep frustration over the geographical allocations handed to the tournament co-hosts, calling for comprehensive changes to the current selection process.

Collymore stated: “It’s wrong that Mexico have been permitted such a big physical advantage. I think FIFA and Gianni Infantino need to sit down with the other associations and find a way to make these tournaments fairer.

“Canada, for example, are a co-host but have had to play across the border in Seattle, while Mexico have been able to basically stay at the Azteca, where they’ve lost only twice in over 80 matches.

“We all know the physiological advantage of playing at altitude is very real. That was known well in advance, so I think it’s grossly unfair that one team can have such a significant physical advantage in what’s supposed to be a level playing field.

“For me, the whole hosting system needs looking at. England, with arguably the biggest domestic league in world football, haven’t hosted a World Cup in the modern television era, while Mexico have now had three. So yes, I think it’s absolutely wrong that one country can have such a clear physiological advantage over another.”

Rice maintains squad focus

Away from the outside noise, the England camp has deliberately downplayed any worries about the local environment. Speaking to Lions’ Den, Rice emphasised that Thomas Tuchel’s squad are treating the fixture as a standard away match, regardless of the venue’s historical weight.

Rice said: “It’s kind of going to be like an away game for us. They’ve played every game in Mexico so far, been at home the whole tournament, so for us it’s just being able to go there and deal with what’s going to be thrown at us.

“For us, we don’t care where we play. To us, it’s just a stadium. Obviously the Azteca is known as where Maradona done the ‘Hand of God’, like just loads of different iconic moments. For us, we’re just turning up to do a job.

“Obviously it’s going to be unreal, but it’s just another stadium we get to play at.”

Toughest tournament test awaits

England face their toughest tournament test against a confident Mexican side that have won all four matches so far without conceding. Having previously played only at low altitude, the Three Lions must adapt immediately to avoid a premature exit. Managing physical energy levels from the opening whistle will be absolutely critical if the visitors are to disrupt Mexico’s momentum and secure a place in the quarter-finals.

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Morocco defeated Canada, 3-0, at Houston Stadium in the 2026 World Cup round of 16 on Saturday at Houston Stadium. And it won with three second-half goals coming from a brace by Azzedine Ounahi and a stoppage-time goal from Soufiane Rahimi to put the cherry on the cake and book Morocco’s spot in the quarterfinals.

It was the end of the road for Canada as one of the co-hosts of this tournament. But it was still a successful run when you factor in that Les Rouges had never earned a single World Cup point before this tournament and accomplished so many milestones in this one.

Canada earned its first World Cup point, its first World Cup win, its first knockout-stage qualification and its first knockout-stage win, defeating South Africa 1-0 in the round of 32.

Against Morocco, Canada played relatively well, especially in the first half, where it was the more forward-thinking team. Les Rouges also started the second half well, but moments of quality from Morocco’s talented players did them in. They lacked that little bit of quality in the final third.

Canada coach Jesse Marsch, speaking after the game, was proud of the performance and said he would rather be Canada than Morocco, despite the Atlas Lions moving on to the quarterfinals.

“What a privilege our fans have had to root a team on like this — that goes after the game, that doesn’t play defensive, that shows that they can be better, right?” Marsch said. “Of course, we have to be in these situations more and more, and then we have to find ways to succeed, and then we have to build from that.

“But what a great team. I’d rather be us than them. As good as Morocco is, I’d rather be us, right? I’m really proud of our guys. We went after the game. They’re hurting right now, but my goodness, I couldn’t be prouder.”

Photo by Torbjorn Tande/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)

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Marsch believed Canada was the better team in the match and played the better football, but the quality in the final third was the difference. Morocco was clinical with its chances, while Canada was held scoreless despite creating moments of promise.

“We were the better team. We were the better team, right?” Marsch said.

“They made a couple more plays than us, but cranking up the intensity was not the issue. It was just they had a little bit of quality in the final third, and we lacked a little ability to make a play when we needed to.

“But in terms of the match plan, the idea of how we want to play football, the idea of a bunch of guys believing in themselves and going after it, and taking a top team who hasn’t lost in I don’t even know how long, and taking them to the limit — we were the much better team in the first half and even the beginning of the second half.

“It was one play that made it 1-0. Otherwise, the game was ours.”

Morocco has now earned a date with the winner of Paraguay-France. It will face off Thursday, July 9 at Boston Stadium.

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SEATTLE —”Great moments are born from great opportunity.”

It’s little wonder why USA coach Mauricio Pochettino co-opted one of the most famous quotes in American sports history in the build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, noted fan of the Miracle on Ice that he has become.

Originally, the sentiment applied to the entire tournament. Now, it perfectly encapsulates Monday’s all-or-nothing round of 16 contest here against Belgium.

This is the big one.

(Photo by Lyndsay Radnedge/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images).

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In the last three World Cups the U.S. mens national team participated in, it was eliminated at this stage. But none of those teams was riding the wave of momentum that has captured the imagination of the American public over the last month. None talked openly about winning the whole thing. Most crucially, none of them were playing here at home.

“As a team, we want to leave our mark on the game and a legacy behind,” veteran midfielder Tyler Adams said on Friday. “I want it to be more than just what this moment has created and the hype around it.”

Only a victory will accomplish that.

(Photo by Erin Chang/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

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As well as the co-hosts have done so far at this World Cup — including winning a World Cup knockout match for the first time since 2002 — what has long been considered a golden generation of players has yet to manage even one so-called “signature” win against a truly elite foe. In the round of 16 at Qatar 2022, they were thoroughly outclassed in a 3-1 defeat to the Netherlands.

Monday represents a chance to show how much they’ve improved in the almost four years since. Last week’s do-or-die 2-0 triumph over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the new round of 32 was a good start.

Now it gets real.

“You need to embrace the moment, that’s for sure, to have an opportunity to play in around a 16 game, which obviously in the last World Cup we did,” Adams said before the U.S. trained Saturday at Husky Stadium on the University of Washington campus. “It’s exciting. It was nice to get a little bit of a taste of what it feels like to play with something a little bit more on the line in the last game. I think that’s good preparation.”

Still, topping Belgium is another matter entirely. The Red Devils embarrassed the Americans in a March exhibition in Atlanta, coming from behind to beat the home team, 5-2.

(Photo by Shaun Clark/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

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Adams didn’t play in that match because of injury. Neither did five others who started against the Bosnians: keeper Matt Freese, defenders Alex Freeman and Chris Richards and wing back Sergiño Dest.

“It doesn’t matter,” Ream said of the last meeting with Belgium. “This is a completely different game than in March.”

He’s right. It’s easily the Stars and Stripes’ biggest game of this World Cup so far.

Belgium is an aging team. Coach Rudi Garcia’s roster still boasts four players who featured when the Belgians topped the U.S., 2-1, in extra time in the round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, including keeper Thibaut Courtois and the two goalscorers that night in Salvador, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku. But they’re still stacked. Manchester City winger Jérémy Doku, in particular, gave the U.S. fits in Atlanta.

(Photo by BRUNO FAHY / BELGA MAG / Belga / AFP via Getty Images)

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Containing him will be a team effort, with Dest and Freeman requiring support from midfield destroyer Adams, center back Richards and anyone else in the proximity.

“We will make it really difficult for their wingers to even go behind our defense,” Dest vowed. 

Easier said than done. 

“Not a lot of teams in the world can slow [Doku] down,” said Adams.

That’s the assignment nonetheless.

Chances like this don’t come along very often. The fanbase that has wholeheartedly embraced this team will quickly forget the three games they’ve won at this World Cup if they don’t take advantage and go at least one step further than they have in almost a quarter-century. 

If they do, though, the legacy Pochettino, Adams and others have talked about leaving will be secure. The U.S. would then have a chance, mostly pressure-free, to upset Spain or Portugal and reach the semifinals. 

Do that, and these 26 players will walk together for the rest of their lives.

“Taking this thing as far as we can is the most important thing,” Adams said. “We have a good opportunity here to do so.”

Locked in as they are on Belgium, the bigger picture must remain in the background for now. But they all know it’s there. 

“We are, as we all continue to say, very aware of the impact that we’re having around the country,” said Ream, who called Monday’s game an “opportunity to continue to inspire tens of millions of people, inspire kids.”

It’s one this U.S. team has earned. We’ll see if they can turn it into a moment no American soccer fan will ever forget.

USA vs. Beglium

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Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that star forward Neymar is finally fit enough to feature for a full 90 minutes at the World Cup. The Italian tactician also candidly admitted that the country’s all-time leading goalscorer is deeply unhappy with his restricted substitute role.

Neymar Overcomes Calf Injury

Neymar could finally play a prominent role for Brazil at the tournament after completely overcoming a troublesome right calf injury. The 34-year-old forward has endured a frustrating campaign, registering just a single 14-minute cameo off the bench during the group stage victory over Scotland. However, concerns regarding his match fitness have now been officially dispelled by his manager, handing the Seleção a massive offensive boost ahead of their encounter against Norway at New York/New Jersey Stadium. 

Ancelotti Evaluates Fitness Levels

During an interview with Folha de S. Paulo, Ancelotti offered a detailed assessment of how Neymar is managing life on the sidelines.

When questioned whether he would continue to hold the forward in reserve for a potential extra-time period — having kept him unused on the bench against Japan for that exact reason — the veteran Italian tactician highlighted Neymar’s maturity and ability to dictate matches.

He stated: “The important thing is that he is available to play. How long he will play, nobody knows. He has the experience to manage his minutes and the tempo of the game. When I feel the team needs him, I will put him on [the pitch].”

The former Real Madrid head coach then responded directly to queries regarding the forward’s physical capacity to last a full match: “Yes. He can play 90 minutes.”

Neymar Handles Bench Role

Addressing the emotional challenges of a world-class player being named among the substitutes, the boss offered praise for his exemplary conduct: “He is not happy, but he is behaving very well.

“He is training very well. Neymar is highly respectful, amiable, and loved by his teammates. He is an important character in the squad because he possesses immense quality and is a very humble person. I am very happy with him. And obviously, he wants to play, just as he always has.”

When asked if Neymar had openly demanded an inclusion in the starting XI, the head coach clarified the internal dynamic: “He doesn’t directly say ‘I want to play,’ but that desire is quite clear. And it’s a positive thing. A player cannot be happy sitting on the bench.”

Scintillating Attacking Showdown Awaits

Brazil faces a demanding test in the round of 16 against an in-form Norway side led by prolific striker Erling Haaland. The Seleção enter the clash on a seven-match unbeaten streak across all competitions, heavily relying on the stellar form of Vinícius Júnior. Neutralizing Norway’s physical aerial threat while successfully utilizing Neymar’s creative brilliance at any stage of the match will likely be paramount if Ancelotti’s men are to book a quarter-final berth.

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In the history of the men’s World Cup, in every tournament, there is always at least one fixture that you return to in order to capture the essence of that particular edition. It’s a match stapled in your psyche because it delivered everything that you expected, not just from a footballing perspective, but from a cultural one too.

It’s a matchup of two nations coming together and delivering a majestic spectacle of football and in the end, you forever remember the host nation because it played the role of narrator to one of the best matches you have ever witnessed.

I can think of a few. The final from 2022 in Qatar, for example, between Argentina and France. Or Brazil’s 3-2 win over the Netherlands in the 1994 quarterfinal encounter or the semifinal between Italy and West Germany in the 1970 World Cup, which was the first time Mexico hosted the tournament. 

Again and again, we return to these matches because they become important memories that enhance the notion that this is indeed the greatest sport and the greatest tournament and nothing comes close.  

I think England’s match against Mexico in Mexico City will be one of them. 

The prelude to the match has already given us drama. The discussion about the effects of the city’s altitude. The hotel choice for England’s squad in order to minimize potential disruption. Reports about how weather could disrupt or change the kick-off time.

These teams have something in common (aside from a penchant for serving beans for breakfast). Both are among the most followed teams anywhere in the world, but whose rich history in the sport hasn’t quite measured that reach.

But that’s where the similarity may end, because this match – out of any so far – will be the biggest spectacle at this World Cup. And there are so many reasons why. 

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Let’s begin with the host. Mexico, under Javier “Vasco” Aguirre, has been a revelation and one of the best teams at the tournament. So far, it has won every match leading up to this point without conceding a single goal and with the likes of Julián Quiñones (three goals, one assist) and a determined Raúl Jiménez (two goals), El Tri can hurt anyone at any moment. This, however, is a team that fully represents the concept of togetherness. It is brave, cohesive and extremely difficult to break.

The other component is the stadium itself, as it brings joy and a sense of energetic momentum for the host and ghosts of the past for the visitor. I’ll get to that in a moment.

But first, think about this. In 10 World Cup matches, Mexico has never lost at this iconic ground and only twice has it suffered defeat in international competition in 89 fixtures. The crowd is the most intense audience out of any we will see at this World Cup. The experience of players who have dealt with this before often tell me that it is the equivalent of being lost in an ocean of noise, where the chanting and screaming and the roaring is so loud, not only can you not communicate with your teammates. You can’t even hear yourself think. 

The crowd has been a powerful force for Mexico at the World Cup. (Photo by Cesar Gomez/Jam Media/Getty Images)

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Whenever England has the ball, it will require complete focus because the booing and whistling will be overwhelming. 

There are literally vibrations inside the stadium due to the stomping and as fans sing “Cielito Lindo” and “Olé, Olé, Olé,” you can’t feel anything but an overwhelming sense of domination by one collective voice.

I know England very well. It is a part of my heart. I was accidentally born there to my Peruvian parents (a story for another day) and grew up there after leaving Perú in the early 90s. My youth is because of England. I have many English family members and loved ones and still go back year after year. I cover the Premier League and know English football culture very well.

I can tell any English fan that this will be the most hostile and loudest atmosphere the Three Lions have ever faced and my hope for Thomas Tuchel is that most of this preparation is psychological, not physical. There is also the memory of the past, as this was the venue for one of the most controversial moments in World Cup history — Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” secured Argentina’s win over England in the quarterfinal of the 1986 World Cup. 

England has not been back to Mexico City since then. Until now. 

The altitude remains the most talked-about factor and rightly so. At about 7,220 to 7,352 feet above sea level, the need for oxygen becomes more urgent as it drops 20% per breath, so for athletes, running and finding your energy is harder. 

England players training in Mexico City. (Photo by Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Images) –>

Remember how I am Peruvian? Growing up, I would go to Cusco (the Inca capital and where my father was born) every year and that’s at 11,152 feet, which is significantly higher, but the point remains. It’s the same reason why Bolivia plays its World Cup qualifiers in El Alto (13,615 feet) because it’s a sizable advantage. 

Now, Mexico City is much lower, but the effects will be present, so England’s strategy needs to be drawn up in accordance to the altitude. There is no room for maybe or maybe not. It must. Tuchel’s priority must be to keep the ball and not chase it, otherwise, this could become an even bigger mountain to climb. This is also where hydration breaks are key. 

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England’s quest to win the World Cup for the first time since 1966 has now arrived at the ultimate challenge: to beat a confident, strong, assured Mexico at their home. In front of their people. With the skies against them. 

Mexico’s quest is to continue on this historic run and to achieve something that has not been done since 1986 and 1970, which is to reach the quarterfinal stage of the World Cup. 

The venue is set. A wonderful city is ready to create an enormous atmosphere. All that is left is for Sunday evening to arrive, and for the gods of nature to leave us alone with their thunderstorm warnings.

We won’t need them. Because the actual thunderstorm will be inside the stadium, created by 80,000 people. And the would-be legends who’ll step on the pitch of one of the game’s cathedrals.

World Cup Related Stories

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Ange Postecoglou was named the new coach of Saudi Pro League champion Al-Nassr on a two-year deal on Friday.

The Australian steps into one of the highest profile roles in Asian soccer, inheriting a squad led by superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. 

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – MAY 21: Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with the Saudi Pro League Trophy following the match between Al Nassr and Damac at Al Awwal Park on May 21, 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)

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“A new chapter.” Al-Nassr said in a statement. “Our best wishes for success to him and his staff in their journey with the global club, God willing.”

The 60-year-old Postecoglou’s managerial career has spanned Australia, Japan, Scotland, and England, with league titles secured at Brisbane Roar, Yokohama F. Marinos, and Celtic. He also won the Europa League trophy with Tottenham in 2025.

His most recent post was at Nottingham Forest last October, when he was sacked after eight games and 39 days in the shortest managerial reign in Premier League history.

Reporting by the Associated Press.

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