BBC
'You can't catch your breath' - how will Azteca altitude impact England?
Thursday, July 2, 2026
England will play a match at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, which sits at approximately 2,250 meters above sea level. At that altitude, the air contains roughly 25 percent less oxygen than at sea level, which affects oxygen delivery to muscles and the brain. Players typically experience increased heart rate, faster breathing, and reduced endurance during the first 24 to 48 hours at elevation before the body begins to acclimatize. Mexico's national team has played regularly at Azteca Stadium and holds a strong record there.
