The England football team was met with boos and jeers from local fans as they arrived at their hotel in Mexico City on Friday, preparing for their crucial World Cup last-16 match against Mexico. The match is set to take place on Sunday at 01:00 BST (Monday), and will be broadcast live on BBC One and iPlayer.

In light of recent events, security measures have been heightened at the team's hotel. This follows a noise complaint lodged by Ecuador, who faced Mexico in the previous round. Ecuador's players reported being kept awake by local supporters using loudspeakers, horns, and motorcycles outside their hotel, which contributed to their 2-0 defeat.

Despite England's efforts to keep their hotel location confidential, hundreds of fans gathered outside to greet the team, with some chanting "Mexico" while others booed. A significant police presence was evident, including members of Mexico's National Guard and officers in riot gear stationed near barriers outside the hotel.

England's arrival came two days before their match, adhering to FIFA regulations that require teams to conduct a part-open training session in the local area the day prior to their game. However, their preparations were disrupted by a chaotic five-and-a-half-hour period during which FIFA considered moving the match time forward by six hours due to anticipated storms. Both the Football Association and Mexico's football federation expressed their frustration with this last-minute proposal, which was ultimately rejected, allowing the game to proceed as originally scheduled.

In addition to the hostile environment, England faces the challenge of playing at high altitude in Mexico City, which sits at approximately 2,240 meters above sea level. This elevation means there is less oxygen available, making it difficult for players to acclimatize. Ideally, athletes should spend a week or two at such altitudes to adjust their bodies and generate more red blood cells for optimal performance.

As the match approaches, the England team must navigate both the fervent local support for Mexico and the physical challenges posed by the altitude, making for a highly anticipated encounter.