Secret location & sleep devices: England bid to combat noisy Mexico fans

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Secret location & sleep devices: England bid to combat noisy Mexico fansImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, England set up a meeting with Mexico after beating DR Congo in the round of 32BySami Mokbel Senior football correspondent in Mexico CityPublished33 minutes agoEngland are taking precautions before their arrival in Mexico to ensure boisterous locals intent on ruining the players' rest and sleep do not disrupt their preparations. Thomas Tuchel's side face Mexico in their World Cup last-16 tie on Sunday (01:00 BST Monday) in a match live on One and iPlayer. The squad are due to arrive in Mexico City on Friday so will spend two nights before the game in the capital.

Mexico's last-32 opponents Ecuador lodged a complaint to Fifa after their squad were deliberately kept awake by noisy Mexico supporters, who used loudspeakers, horns and motorcycles outside the team hotel late at night. The Ecuador team stayed in the Westin Hotel in Mexico City, and, while England want to keep their location undisclosed, there is a concern that the location will eventually be leaked on social media. With that in mind, England players and staff who have not brought their own sleeping devices, such as ear plugs or sleep bands, are to be offered natural sleep remedies or white noise audio machines to ensure sleep is not impacted.

The Details

The arrival two days before the game is a change in schedule for England, who generally land in the host city the night before. However, Fifa demands teams hold a part-open training session a day before the game. England had been holding that in Kansas to date before flying to the US city where their game is taking place.

However, it has been decided that England will train in Mexico instead. Among the other challenges England will face is playing the game against Mexico in high altitude. Mexico City has an average elevation of approximately 2,240 metres above sea level, meaning there is less oxygen available.

This can impact the performance of some players, especially when they are not acclimatised to the conditions. To that end, Mexico have played all four of their World Cup games so far at high altitude conditions, with three fixtures at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City and the other in Guadalajara – which is on average 1,566 metres above sea level. Ideally, athletes competing at high altitude should spend a week or two living at that level in order to allow their body to acclimatise and generate more red blood cells.

What Experts Say

Tuchel has conceded his team will be at a disadvantage when England face Mexico this weekend. "The altitude will be a big disadvantage because we cannot physically adapt to it," said Tuchel. "And in four days, it's just impossible.

More obstacles may come, but we are ready for that. "My understanding is that we cannot adapt to the altitude. That is just a huge advantage that Mexico will have.

"It just takes too much time. We have only three days in between these matches.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.