Showing posts with label Mexico. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mexico. Show all posts
Friday, 24 July 2026
Monday, 6 July 2026
HARRY KANE 'TURNS INTO MICKEY MOUSE'
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| Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images |
Harry Kane scored the winning goal as England beat Mexico 3-2 to book their place in the World Cup quarter-final, but the England captain was forced to end his BBC interview early
England hero Harry Kane was forced to cut short a post-match interview with the BBC after losing his voice following the rollercoaster 3-2 World Cup win over Mexico.
The England skipper netted what proved to be the decisive goal in a thrilling triumph over the tournament's co-hosts at the famous Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The 10-man Three Lions secured their spot in the World Cup quarter-finals thanks to the victory. They are now set to face Norway on Saturday evening.
But in the immediate aftermath of the final whistle, following celebrations with supporters, Kane participated in an interview with the BBC. However, it soon became clear that he had lost his voice, resulting in his responses sounding somewhat more high-pitched than usual and leaving everyone in stitches,
Kane admitted: "My voice has gone!" Coughing and clearing his throat, he said: "It was a crazy game... we had to fight haha, we had to find something, I've just been singing there, I can't really talk but..."
He continued: "All the occasion, the team, everything against us, we found a way."
As he brought the interview to an end, he said: "Incredible, unbelievable support, speechless, I can't even talk!" Before the BBC interviewer said: "Go and rest that voice Harry."
One fan joked: "90 mins at the Azteca Stadium and Harry Kane turned into Mickey Mouse!" A second said: "Harry Kane turns into Mickey Mouse after England's win over Mexico." A third laughed: "Harry Kane channels his inner Mickey Mouse!"
Meanwhile, back in the BBC studio, Kane's former team-mate, Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney, couldn't contain his laughter. He said: "It's the best interview ever!"
England had overcome hostility, altitude and Jarell Quansah’s red card as Thomas Tuchel's side edged the contest. England started well 2,200 metres above sea level when the last-16 tie eventually got under way an hour late because of bad weather.
Jude Bellingham’s quickfire brace silenced the home supporters whose hopes would be revived by Julian Quinones before the break. Mexican belief grew further when right-back Quansah was sent off for a clumsy challenge early in the second half, only for Tuchel’s team to immediately respond through skipper Kane’s spot-kick when Anthony Gordon was brought down.
Raul Jimenez added a penalty of his own to increase English nerves, after Kane accidentally booted Brian Gutierrez in the box, yet the visitors showed defensive nous and togetherness to win on a wild night in Mexico City.
A date with Norway in Miami is the reward as England kept their quest for World Cup glory alive and helped avenge Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ on their return to the Azteca after 40 years.
- Amie Wilson and Neil Docking
ENGLAND VS MEXICO DELAYED AS THUNDERSTORMS HIT MEXICO CITY
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| A general view of a match delay notice on the big screen ahead of the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match at Mexico City Stadium, Mexico. Picture date: Sunday July 5, 2026 (Image: Martin Rickett) |
Thunderstorms have hit Mexico City in the build-up to England’s World Cup clash against Mexico, as the kick-off time is pushed back to 2am for UK viewers.
The game will start in the early hours of Monday morning UK time after governing body Fifa opted not to go ahead with a proposal to move it forward six hours to avoid disruption from forecast thunderstorms.
Mexico’s weather service said there would be an 80% chance of thunderstorms at 5pm local time (12am BST), and a 60% chance at 6pm (1am BST).
A Fifa statement said: “Due to adverse weather conditions in Mexico City, including risk caused by lightning in the vicinity of the stadium, the kick-off of the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 match between Mexico and England has been delayed to 1900 local time (2100 EDT).
“The safety and security of all individuals is FIFA’s priority. We thank all fans for their understanding and cooperation.”
At about 2.30pm (9.30pm BST), heavy rain and thunderstorms greeted England and Mexico fans outside the Estadio Azteca, with loud rumbles of thunder coming and going in the hours before kick-off.
The big screens inside the stadium displayed signs warning people that an electrical storm was approaching and to remain in their seats, though people ran for cover when the heavens opened.
Play cannot begin until 30 minutes has passed since lightning was detected within an eight-mile radius.
Mexico’s last-32 match with Ecuador on Wednesday was delayed by an hour after thunderstorms struck ahead of kick-off.
Lightning is not the only hazard which could strike the Three Lions’ World Cup hopes – co-hosts Mexico have lost only two of their 89 competitive games at the Estadio Azteca, which lies more than 2,200 metres above sea level.
An England win would set up a quarter-final tie with Norway following their 2-1 victory over Brazil on Sunday.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who earlier this week announced pubs would be able to stay open until 5am to show the match, predicted supporters would stay up through the night to watch the “big game”.
He said: “Mexico are a tough side to beat but we have a squad that knows what it takes to win.
“After the false hope of an earlier night, I know fans across the country will be staying up late to get behind the England team. And thanks to our change to pub licensing, they will be able to do that at their local, all through the early hours.
“Come on England!”
England fans outside the Estadio Azteca were quietly confident of the Three Lions’ chances in their round of 16 tie – with one saying the team can “win penalty shootouts now”.
Barnaby Shepherd, 58, originally from Cambridge but who now lives in Los Angeles, told the Press Association: “I think they’ll play slow for the first part because of the altitude and I think they’ll pass it a bit.
“If they can pass and conserve their energy and nick a goal… I told the Mexican waiter last night it’s going to be 1-1 and it will go to penalties and we’ll nick it on penalties.
“He said no chance, he thinks it will be 2-0 to Mexico.”
Asked if he was confident England can win on penalties, Mr Shepherd said: “I think so, I think we’ve got that, I think we can win penalty shootouts now – we’ve crossed a bridge there.”
Mr Shepherd said you can “put your watch by” thunderstorms in Mexico City.
He said: “My cousin, who lives in Mexico City – he’s from Somerset… he says the British media have it all wrong about the weather.
“It’s always mild, it never gets too hot, but you do have these thunderstorms and you can put your watch by it – you just know when they’re going to come.
“So I think they should have moved it up to 12pm personally, but we were at the airport and people were shaking their heads saying no because they’d made travel arrangements – so they didn’t like the idea of any disruption.
“People are going to be annoyed either way – we’ll see what happens today.
“Yesterday there was thunder and lightning – so that’s what they’re worried about.”
Meanwhile, Kyle Thomas, 35, from Bristol, predicted a tight game.
He said: “It’ll be a tight game – first 20 minutes, if we can keep it tight because they are going to come at us really quickly… but after 20 minutes I think we’ll be all right. 1-0 potentially – it’s going to be tight.”
His friend Jack Knight, 34, also from Bristol, said: “I think we’re at a disadvantage. They obviously played here last week, they haven’t conceded, they’ve won all their games.
“Hopefully we do well but we’ve just got to show up.
“There’s going to be, what, 5,000 English compared to 80,000 (from Mexico) – so we’re going to be outnumbered.”
Mr Thomas said the atmosphere inside the Estadio Azteca will be a “great experience”.
He said: “We’ll be loud behind the goal, the actual supporters, and there will be a few dotted around the stadium, but I’m excited just to see the atmosphere.
“The national anthem from Mexico is going to be amazing so it should be a great experience.
“We’re going to win, so hopefully onto Miami, and then Atlanta for the semis.”
The friends from Bristol said England manager Thomas Tuchel’s past achievements have given them hope for the Three Lions’ chances at the World Cup.
Mr Knight said: “I want to see a good game today – Panama wasn’t too exciting, nor Congo… I went to Dallas and watched that and that was the only time I was like ‘yeah, we can do this’.”
Mr Thomas added: “The only hope I have is that Tuchel won the Champions League playing badly with Chelsea, so I’m pinning my hopes on that.”
Asked what they had to do to afford their trip out to the US and Mexico, Mr Knight said: “Save up all our lives.”
Mr Thomas continued: “I’ve got a five-month-old and a 15-month-old, so I had to tell my missus I’m going away.
“I’ll break it to her later that I’m going to go to the semi-final – well, I’ll tell her now.”
Meanwhile, Steve Hartshorne, 70, from Walsall, said: “Let’s hope the players really come to the fore and are inspired by this atmosphere.
“We’ve been in the city and it’s manic. Green (shirts) everywhere, horns everywhere – it’s just so exciting.
“They’re a great footballing nation so let’s hope our players can respond.
“But the altitude could be a massive factor.”
Mr Hartshorne said he was confident England will have factored any delayed kick-off into their preparations.
Commenting on the potential storm disruptions, he said: “I’ve got my waterproof in here.
“I think they’ll have planned this into their thinking.
“They’ll be in the dressing room and they’ll get geared up.
“It’s the same for both sides isn’t it, really.”
Asked how England might cope with a potentially hostile atmosphere inside the Estadio Azteca, Mr Hartshorne said: “They’re experienced players, some of them, so let’s just hope they can do it.
“I’m quietly confident.”
- Melanie Disley
Saturday, 4 July 2026
ENGLAND RECEIVE HOSTILE WELCOME AT MEXICO CITY HOTEL AHEAD OF WORLD CUP CLASH
England received a hostile welcome as they arrived at their Mexico City hotel ahead of Sunday night's World Cup last-16 tie against Mexico.
England had been hoping to keep their location undisclosed after Mexico supporters used loud speakers, horns and motorcycles to try to disturb the sleep of Ecuador's players before their last-32 tie, which the co-hosts won 2-0 on Wednesday night.
But when England's coach arrived at their hotel, hundreds of fans were already there, with many booing while others chanted "Mexico."
At least one supporter within the crowd could be seen holding up an England shirt.
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| England faced a hostile environment upon arrival to their team hotel. Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images |
Security has been increased outside the hotel after events earlier in the week, which led to complaints from Ecuador's football federation.
There has also been an increase in security in the city after four people died during the celebrations that followed Mexico's win over Ecuador.
Thomas Tuchel's men take on the co-hosts in a mouth-watering clash at the Estadio Azteca, with kick-off scheduled for 6 p.m. local time (1 a.m. Monday in the United Kingdom).
FIFA had considered moving kick-off forward due to a forecast for storms in the region but, after five-and-a-half hours of uncertainty on Friday evening, the decision was made to stick with the original schedule, the Press Association understands.
Both England and Mexico had voiced opposition to rescheduling the game less than 48 hours before kick-off.
A hostile reception is far from the only challenge England will face in Mexico City, with the Azteca at an altitude of more than 2,000 metres above sea level, meaning players must adapt to lower levels of oxygen in the air.
Mexico have only been beaten twice in 89 matches at the Azteca, winning 70 and drawing 17. They are unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches at the stadium.
- PA
Wednesday, 1 July 2026
MEXICO END 40-YEAR WAIT FOR WORLD CUP KNOCKOUT MATCH VICTORY
For Ecuador, a first appearance beyond the group stage in 20 years comes to an immediate end
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| JUT DONE IT: Julian Quinones of Mexico celebrates scoring his team's first goal Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images |
MEXICO ended a 40-year wait for a FIFA World Cup knockout victory with a composed 2- 0 win over Ecuador in front of a sold-out crowd at Mexico City Stadium, booking their place in the round of 16, reports Jeannique Kuhne.
Julián Quiñones starred with the opening goal and an all-action display to earn player of the match honours, while Raúl Jiménez added a second as El Tri maintained their remarkable defensive record.
Kick-off was delayed due to a severe thunderstorm but once play got underway Mexico quickly settled despite Ecuador enjoying more of the possession throughout the contest.
The first real opportunity fell to youngster Gilberto Mora in the 16th minute. At 17 years, eight months and 17 days, he became the youngest player at this World Cup and nearly marked the occasion with a memorable goal.
Mexico broke the deadlock six minutes later when Quiñones finished confidently to score his third goal of the tournament, sending the home supporters into celebration.
El Tri doubled their advantage in the 31st minute through Jiménez, whose strike was his 47th international goal. The veteran forward moved into second place on Mexico’s all- time scoring list, behind only Javier “Chicharito” Hernández’s tally of 51.
Ecuador continued to control possession, finishing with 57% of the ball, but struggled to break down Mexico’s disciplined defence. Their frustrations were compounded before half-time when goalkeeper Raúl Rangel produced a superb save in the 40th minute to preserve his side’s two-goal cushion.
The South Americans pushed after the break and came closest in the 74th minute when substitute Kevin Rodríguez forced another important intervention, but Mexico’s defence stood firm to record a fourth consecutive clean sheet of the tournament. They also threatened late on, going close again in stoppage time.
Ecuador’s evening ended on a sour note when Piero Hincapié was shown a red card in the fifth minute of added time for covering his mouth while addressing an opponent, becoming only the second player to be dismissed under the World Cup’s new communication rule after Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón earlier in the tournament.
The victory sends Mexico into the round of 16, where the co-hosts will face either England or Congo. They arrive in the knockout stage with four wins from four matches and without conceding a single goal. It also marks only Mexico’s second ever World Cup knockout victory, their first since defeating Bulgaria at the Azteca in 1986.
For Ecuador, a first appearance beyond the group stage in 20 years comes to an immediate end, while the result confirms the complete elimination of Groups E and F from the tournament.
- Staff Writer
Thursday, 25 June 2026
Wednesday, 24 June 2026
Sunday, 21 June 2026
Friday, 19 June 2026
Friday, 12 June 2026
SOUTH KOREA RALLY TO BEAT CZECHIA 2-1 ON WORLD CUP OPENING DAY
Second-half goals by Oh Hyeon-gyu and Hwang In-beom steered South Korea to a come-from-behind win over Czechia in a Group A encounter.
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| Goals from Oh Hyeon-gyu, left, and Hwang In-beom guided South Korea to a 2-1 comeback win over Czechia in the second match of the World Cup 2026 opening day [Matias Delacroix/AP |
Hwang In-beom scored a goal and set up another as South Korea rallied to defeat Czechia 2-1 in the second match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Thursday night in Zapopan, Mexico.
After a lacklustre first half in which both teams were jeered as they left the field, Czechia took the lead in the 59th minute on a header by captain Ladislav Krejci after a long throw-in into the penalty area.
Second-half goals by Oh Hyeon-gyu and Hwang In-beom steered South Korea to a come-from-behind win over Czechia in a Group A encounter.
South Korea equalised in the 67th minute, when Hwang scored after faking a shot with a nifty move to clear two Czech players. He then made the cross from the right flank for Oh Hyeon-gyu’s decisive strike in the 80th minute in a match played in front of hundreds of empty seats at Guadalajara Stadium.
Led by star forward Son Heung-min, South Korea controlled possession and outshot the Czechs, who were making their first World Cup appearance since 2006.
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| Oh Hyeon-gyu scored a goal in the 80th minute to seal a late comeback victory for South Korea [Daniel Becerril/Reuters] |
The South Koreans, ranked 25th by FIFA, had most of the significant scoring chances against the 38th-ranked Czechs but failed to capitalise early.
The announced attendance was 44,985 at the 45,664-capacity Guadalajara Stadium. Sections in the middle of the stands had many unoccupied seats, and other empty seats were scattered across the stadium.
Earlier on Thursday, Mexico ignited their World Cup party with a dominant 2-0 victory over nine-man South Africa, as the biggest edition of the global footballing showpiece kicked off at the iconic Estadio Azteca.
With three points each, Mexico sit on top of Group A, with South Korea second on goal difference. Czechia are third, and South Africa sit at the bottom. In the next round of Group A matches on June 18, Mexico face South Korea in Zapopan, while Czechia play South Africa in Atlanta.
The top two teams from each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-placed teams, proceed to the knockouts, which begin with the round of 32.
- Al Jazeera Staff and The Associated Press
Thursday, 11 June 2026
WORLD CUP HISTORY | MEXICO 1970
That works out at around £5,000 in today's money.
What a trip this would have been.
Tuesday, 9 June 2026
Monday, 8 June 2026
TEHRAN LAMBASTS US 'OBSTRUCTION' OF IRAN'S WORLD CUP TEAM AS PLAYERS LAND IN MEXICO
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| Members of the Iran soccer team arrive in Tijuana |
TEHRAN — Iran’s soccer team touched down in Mexico’s northwestern city of Tijuana on Sunday as Tehran criticized Washington over its visa restrictions ahead of the World Cup this summer.
The Iranian federation negotiated at the last minute to move the team's base camp from Arizona to Tijuana near the US border in Mexico, due in part to uncertainty over whether they would be granted visas to enter the United States.
The US awarded visas to all the players on June 5, just 10 days before their first match, but several members of the support squad were not yet given visas, including "key managerial and administrative members," according to Iran's football federation.
The president of Iran’s football federation, Mehdi Taj, said Sunday that the Iranian soccer team had been granted permission to enter the US for the tournament, but “only one day before the match,” according to semi-official Iranian media, sparking accusations of unfair treatment.
“We do not know how far the Americans’ obstructionism will continue,” Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) cited Taj as saying. “What the United States is doing reflects malice and a lack of equality among teams.”
A US administration official told CNN that the visas necessary for Iran to compete in the World Cup, including those for athletes and necessary support staff, have been issued. The two nations remain at war with no sign of an immediate breakthrough in peace negotiations.
“We will not allow the Iranian team to abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretenses,” the official said.
Soccer is more than just Iran’s most popular sport. Public support for the national team cuts through social, regional and political lines, making it a uniting force for millions of Iranians.
As a result, qualifying for the World Cup has long been a source of national pride. But the US and Israel’s war with Iran, alongside recent economic and political turmoil at home, has turned the soccer pitch into a stage for soft power, drawing attention away from the game itself.
Iran is scheduled to face New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26, according to FIFA, the governing body that organizes the World Cup. Those matches are expected to be shown in cinemas across Iran, subject to the “necessary approvals,” Iranian state media organization IRIB said Sunday.
This is the first World Cup since the tournament’s inception in 1930 in which a host nation is set to receive a country with which it is actively at war, according to Reuters.
On Sunday, the team touched down in Tijuana, Mexico – just across the border from San Diego, California – several Iranian outlets reported. Last month, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Iranian squad would stay in Mexico between the matches.
A spokesperson for the Iranian football federation said this weekend that the team would travel to the US using a multiple-entry visa, entering one day before the first match and two days before each of the next two matches, Iranian semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.
Taj called it “truly strange” that Washington was interfering in the administration of the sporting event, adding that the Iranian football federation would submit a protest to FIFA. CNN has reached out to the governing body for comment.
The federation president also speculated that the US might try to interfere with the team’s entry to the country while appearing to link Washington’s decision-making to the ongoing war.
“We do not know what kind of mischief they might create at the airport. They were defeated in some areas by the resistance of the people, and they are now trying to make up for those defeats and vent their frustrations on the football field,” ISNA cited Taj as saying.
- Saudi Gazette
Monday, 1 June 2026
Tuesday, 26 May 2026
IRAN MOVES WORLD CUP BASE TO MEXICO AND WANTS GUARANTEES ON VISAS AND SECURITY
National team will fly to the US on day of games after Washington refuses to host squad
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| Iran's players training in Antalya, Turkey, as they prepare for the World Cup. AFP |
Iran's national team will base themselves in Mexico and travel to the US on the days of its three World Cup matches after Washington declined to host the squad, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday.
Sheinbaum said Fifa approached her government after US authorities said they did not want Iran staying in the country throughout the June 11-July 19 competition, even though Iran are scheduled to play three Group G matches there.
"We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico," Sheinbaum told her daily press conference.
Iran are currently preparing for the tournament in Antalya, southern Turkey.
They are set to face New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
The White House and the State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. US President Donald Trump said in March that Iran were welcome to participate in the World Cup but that he did not believe it was appropriate for them to be in the United States "for their own life and safety".
Mehdi Taj, head of Iran's football federation, said on Saturday the team's base would be moved from Arizona to the Mexican border city of Tijuana during the tournament. Fifa confirmed the move on Monday. Taj added that the swap would help avoid visa-related complications and allow direct Iran Air flights to Mexico.
Iran's World Cup plans have been under scrutiny since late February, when the United States joined Israel in attacks on Iran, triggering a war that raised doubts over whether Tehran would send its team to play in one of the host countries.
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| Members of the Iranian national football team camp arrive at the US Embassy in Ankara for their visa application on May 21. AFP |
In March, Taj said Iran were in talks with Fifa about moving its group matches to Mexico on safety grounds, and Sheinbaum said Mexico would be open to hosting them. Fifa refused the request.
The uncertainty fueled wider speculation about Iran's place at the tournament. Iran qualified for a fourth consecutive World Cup by topping their group in the third round of Asian qualifying last year.
Visas and enhanced security
According to various reports at the start of May, Iran had asked Fifa for several guarantees. The demands came after Taj was denied entry to Canada for last month's Fifa Congress.
Chief among them was that their players, coaches and other officials will receive visas to attend the tournament.
That included visas for those on the team who have completed military service with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is listed as a terrorist organisation in Canada and the US.
“All players and technical staff, especially those who served their military service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, should be granted visas without problems,” Taj, a former commander of Iran's IRGC, told Iranian media.
According to a report from the BBC, the Iranian Football Federation also wants assurances that its team will receive enhanced security during the tournament and that respect for the Iranian flag and national anthem will be maintained.
Iranian officials have also reportedly asked for journalists to avoid questions beyond "technical football matters".
- The National
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