Four people died of asphyxiation in Mexico City on Tuesday night as more than a million supporters poured onto Paseo de la Reforma to celebrate the host nation’s 2-0 victory over Ecuador in the World Cup round of 32. The crush near the Angel of Independence monument, which also left a fourth victim dead in hospital after a cardiac arrest, has forced a rapid reassessment of public safety ahead of Sunday’s round-of-16 match against England. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum appealed directly to fans to moderate alcohol consumption and avoid overcrowded areas, while the city government announced it would install giant screens along the entire length of Reforma to disperse crowds away from the iconic monument.

England’s travelling supporters have been issued a warning by the UK Foreign Office, which highlighted the fatalities and urged fans to monitor official tournament channels. The alert reflects a broader anxiety in the British camp about the challenges of playing at the Estadio Azteca, which sits 2,240 metres above sea level. Manager Thomas Tuchel acknowledged the altitude as a “disadvantage”, noting that the thinner air will make the ball travel several metres further and that his squad cannot fully adapt in the three days between matches. England have altered their travel schedule, arriving in Mexico City on Friday—two nights before kick-off, rather than the usual one—and are keeping their hotel location secret after Ecuador’s players were kept awake by fireworks and car horns before their defeat.

On the pitch, the two sides arrive with contrasting records. Mexico have won all four of their matches without conceding a goal, their 2-0 win over Ecuador marking their most assured performance of the tournament. England, unbeaten but less fluent, required two late Harry Kane goals to come from behind and beat DR Congo 2-1 in the previous round. Tuchel’s squad will also use white-noise machines and natural sleep aids to counter any disturbance from the expected 80,000-strong home crowd, a precaution shaped by the chaos that engulfed Ecuador’s hotel.

Mexican officials have stressed that the vast majority of World Cup celebrations have been peaceful, but the deaths have exposed the risks of uncontrolled mass gatherings. The city has deployed additional police, medical modules, and sanitation points along the parade route, and Sheinbaum emphasised that responsibility must be shared between authorities and individuals. The winner of Sunday’s contest will advance to the quarter-finals, but the off-field preparations have become as consequential as the tactical ones.