Dozens of Mexican supporters gathered outside the England national football team’s hotel in Mexico City late Saturday night in an effort to disrupt the team’s rest ahead of their World Cup round-of-16 match against co-host Mexico. Despite a significant police presence and roadblocks around the JW Marriott in the Santa Fe district, fans used loudspeakers, horns, fireworks, drums, and mariachi music to create noise until the early hours of Sunday.

The tactic appeared similar to actions taken earlier in the tournament, when Mexican fans created disturbances outside the Ecuadorian team’s accommodation before their round-of-32 match against Mexico, which Mexico won 2–0. That incident had led the Ecuadorian football federation to file a formal complaint with tournament organizers.

Mexico City’s mayor, Clara Brugada, urged fans to behave with “responsibility, care, and empathy,” but crowds still greeted the England players with chants, boos, and cheers of “Mexico, Mexico” upon arrival. Fans set off firework cannons on a nearby bridge and many drivers joined in with honking horns as they passed the area.

England manager Thomas Tuchel said he anticipated the late-night noise but did not expect it to have a significant impact on his squad’s performance, noting the match’s 6 p.m. kickoff would allow players to recover lost sleep later in the day.

The incident has drawn mixed reactions. Some traveling England supporters described the actions as “dirty tricks,” though others saw it as part of the passionate atmosphere of playing in Latin America. A few England fans expressed admiration for the Mexican supporters’ creativity and determination to gain a psychological edge, while also acknowledging most interactions between the two groups had remained friendly and good-natured.

Throughout the tournament, England fans have often outnumbered opposing supporters, but at the Azteca Stadium for this match, they made up only a small minority. Mexico supporters have been vocal and spirited, often engaging visiting fans in chants and shared moments of “banter.” Some England fans reported being stopped frequently for photos and described warm welcomes from local supporters, despite the occasional exchange of profanities.

The disruption outside the hotel is part of a long-standing tradition in Latin American football, where opposing teams have historically faced attempts to unsettle them through noise and late-night disturbances. While originally rooted in fervent support for home teams, the practice has evolved over time into a strategic effort to gain competitive advantage.

The round-of-16 match will be closely watched as both teams contend not only with one another on the field but also the intensified atmosphere surrounding the game.