Some things in football stay firmly behind closed doors.
Set pieces. Penalty routines. Team selections.
But when you’re England, the precautions have to go further than just pulling down the training ground screens.
England delay Mexico City travel over spying concerns ahead of Mexico clash
According to the Daily Mail, Thomas Tuchel and the Football Association have made the decision to delay England’s departure to Mexico City, driven by serious concerns over the risk of tactical spying ahead of their last-sixteen meeting with the host nation at the iconic Azteca Stadium.
The decision is significant.
Travelling later than planned means less acclimatisation time in a city sitting more than 2,200 metres above sea level.
A real physiological challenge that Tuchel himself has described as “impossible” to fully adapt to in the time available.
But the FA have decided that the security risk outweighs that concern.
The backdrop to this decision is the broader culture of surveillance that has hovered over this tournament.
England’s own experiences earlier in the summer informed a heightened level of vigilance.
With Tuchel having already installed extra screens at their Kansas City training base and increased the security presence around tactical sessions.
Against Mexico, that principle has taken on an entirely new dimension.
Mexico have played three of their four matches at the Azteca already this tournament.
They know the stadium, and it’s conditions.
England are travelling into one of the most hostile environments in world football.
Any intelligence leak to Mexico’s coaching staff in the days before Sunday’s match could prove devastating.
Harry Kane has been in remarkable form, five goals in the tournament, moving past Pele’s tally to reach 13 World Cup goals across his career.
England are in the last sixteen of a World Cup for the first time since 2022.
The stakes could not be higher.
And Tuchel is taking no chances.
Want to get the latest transfer news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
