The next England game has already taken on a physical edge, with Jordan Henderson saying he could feel the altitude during the final training session before facing Mexico. England have arrived early in Toluca in an attempt to adjust, but both Henderson and Thomas Tuchel have made it clear that the conditions at the Azteca Stadium cannot be ignored.
England trained on Saturday afternoon at Pumas' Quarry after flying into Mexico on Friday evening, giving the squad two nights to prepare for a match played 2400 metres above sea level. Tuchel had already said after the win over DR Congo in Atlanta that it was physically not possible to fully adapt, and on Saturday evening he repeated that Mexico hold a clear physical advantage.
Henderson: you can feel it when you arrive
Henderson said the effect was noticeable straight away, even before the football began. He explained that players could feel something as soon as they landed and headed to the hotel, with the altitude becoming more obvious once training got underway.
For him, the first 10-15 minutes were the hardest part. After that, he said the focus shifted back to the session itself, which is exactly the response England will want when the game starts tomorrow.
That is the key point for England. The altitude may be a factor, but it cannot become an excuse. Henderson was clear that once the warm-up is done and the match begins, the squad have to lock in on the task in front of them.
Tuchel and Henderson are on the same page
Tuchel's own comments added more weight to that view. He described a slight headache and some trouble sleeping, while making the point that these effects are manageable even if they are real. In other words, the challenge is practical rather than dramatic.
Henderson backed that up in his own way. He joked about the conditions before stressing that players are adaptable, whatever the kick-off time, whether it is 12pm or 6pm. The message from both camp and captaincy figure was the same: England must deal with it, then get on with the football.
That is why the travel plan mattered. By arriving two nights early, England gave themselves the best chance of feeling comfortable before taking on Mexico, even if total adaptation was never realistic.
No excuse, just a test of control
Henderson said the team must be the best version of themselves, compete together and give everything for each other and the nation back home. He also stressed that things such as kick-off time and hotel routines are outside their control, so the focus has to stay on solutions and preparation.
That is a sensible way to frame the next England game. Altitude may affect the first phase, but the bigger test will be mental discipline: staying calm, sticking to the plan and refusing to let the environment dictate the performance.
If England do that, Henderson believes they will have a good chance. And with Mexico waiting tomorrow, that is the standard Tuchel will be demanding.
