Azteca, altitude, hostile crowd: Harry Kane’s ‘no excuses’ message before England enter Mexican stronghold

FIFA World Cup 2026: Harry Kane (Image: ANI) England captain Harry Kane has urged his teammates to be ready for a stern test when they take on co-hosts Mexico in a sensational FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 encounter at the iconic Estadio Azteca. The knockout match, which is scheduled for July 6 at 5:30 AM IST, pits unbeaten England against a Mexican side that has enjoyed a flawless campaign on home soil.Mexico come into the match in excellent form, winning all four of their matches at the top of Group A. They have scored eight goals without conceding once, thrive in quick transitions while taking full advantage of the high-altitude conditions in Mexico City.Meanwhile, England remained unbeaten and booked their place in the round of 16 with a 2-1 win over DR Congo. The Three Lions also scored eight goals during the tournament, but questions remain over fatigue after a tough club season.Speaking ahead of the high-stakes clash, Kane acknowledged the scale of the challenge and insisted England must be ready to adapt if they are to progress.“It’s going to be a really tough game for a lot of different reasons. First of all, Mexico is a really good team. All these other little details will make it even tougher, but from our point of view it’s another opportunity to build some momentum. It’s kind of about time,” Kane said, as quoted by Goal. com.The England captain added that knockout football often requires teams to find different ways to win.“So there are no excuses in a game like this. We know it’s going to be tough. We know we might have to grind it out. We might have to find another way to win. But that’s what the World Cup is about. Everyone’s looking forward to the opportunity, the stadium, the atmosphere, and ultimately you put yourself into those games. That’s why you train like we do,” he added. That’s why you play these epic matches.Kane was one of the standout players of the tournament as he scored five goals and led England’s attack. The striker is also on the brink of history, netting five goals in FIFA World Cup knockout matches. Another strike would equal Gary Lineker’s England record of six World Cup knockout goals.