Stat pack: Mexico v England

For the first time in over 15 years, the Three Lions will meet Mexico in the round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and here are all the standout stats and facts you need to know, including potential records to be broken and head-to-head.

This is just the second FIFA World Cup meeting between Mexico and England, with the Three Lions winning a group stage match 2-0 in 1966 en route to winning the trophy.

Jordan Pickford could make his 17th FIFA World Cup appearance in this match, equalling Peter Shilton for the most for the England men’s team.

England have won their last four meetings with Mexico, all in international matches between 1986 and 2010. It’s just the fourth time England have faced a host nation at a FIFA World Cup, after 1954 (2-0 v Switzerland), 1982 (0-0 v Spain), and 1990 (1-2 v Italy).

Mexico have never lost a FIFA World Cup match at the Mexico City Stadium (W8 D2), winning the last six in a row. This will be the 11th time they have played there in the World Cup, which will make it the most games played at one venue by a team in the competition’s history.

This will be England’s first game at the Mexico City Stadium 40 years, since a 2-1 loss to Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 1986 quarter-final.

Mexico have won all four of their matches at the FIFA World Cup 2026, already their most victories in a single edition. They are one of only two hosts this century to win their opening four games of a campaign, along with Germany in 2006, while Italy in 1990 are the only hosts to win their opening five.

England reached the FIFA World Cup semi-final in 2018, and the quarter-final in 2022. They’re looking to reach the last eight in three consecutive editions for the second time, after 1962 (quarter-final), 1966 (winners), and 1970 (quarter-final).

Mexico could become just the second team in FIFA World Cup history to keep a clean sheet in their opening five matches of a single edition, after Italy in 1990 (5), who finished third overall.

Julián Quiñones has been directly involved in four goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup (3 goals, 1 assist), the joint-most on record (since 1966) by a Mexican player in a single edition, with Luis Hernández in 1998. Quiñones (3) is also just one goal shy of equalling Hernández’s record for most goals scored in a single edition by a Mexican (4 in 1998).

Roberto Alvarado’s three assists are the most by a Mexican player on record (since 1966) in a FIFA World Cup tournament. Alvarado also leads all Mexicans for chances created (10), possession won (15), and tackles (7) in this edition.

Harry Kane has scored four headed goals at the FIFA World Cup, with three of those coming so far at this year’s tournament. Only Miroslav Klose (7) and Gerd Müller (5) have netted more headers at the competition on record than Kane (since 1966).