I’ve heard a lot of talk about the difficult conditions England will face at the Azteca Stadium – but I don’t think the players will be worried about any of that.
Instead of having any fear about the different tests they face, they will just be thinking ‘bring it on’. I know I would be.
All the talk stops when they run out anyway, and if they play the game rather than the occasion then I think they will win.
Yes, it’s going to be tough, because of the altitude and the atmosphere and everything else. Co-hosts Mexico are at home and the crowd could be as much as 80% of their fans, which is very different to anything England have faced at this tournament so far.
But as a player, these are the kind of games and moments you train and work so hard for all your life because to be going to such an iconic stadium and playing in a World Cup in front of a TV audience of millions, with a place in the quarter-finals as the prize, is what you dream of as a boy.
I’ve wanted to go to the Azteca since I watched the 1986 World Cup on TV as a teenager and this is the first time England have been back since losing that epic quarter-final tie to Argentina. It’s going to be an amazing spectacle as well as a unique test.
I have followed England around the United States at this World Cup, and we have had the majority of fans at all four matches so far.
Against DR Congo in Atlanta, around 75% of the crowd were supporting England, but this is going to feel very different and is another reason why it’s such an incredible game to look forward to.
I’ll be there, co-commentating with Guy Mowbray, and am excited about it as much as the fans are. I bet the players are excited too.
Yes, it’s a challenge but I would say to them to embrace it and enjoy it – be positive and show us all what you can do.
