Despite police blockades, dozens of Mexican fans gathered outside the England national team hotel until early Sunday morning, hoping to disrupt the players’ sleep ahead of the World Cup round of 16 match against co-hosts Mexico.
Armed with loudspeakers, horns and fireworks, the crowd gathered outside the JW Marriott hotel in Santa Fe, in the western part of Mexico City, and did its best to disturb guests.
Earlier this week, “El Tri” supporters used the same tactic before a crucial match against Ecuador – Mexico won 2-0 – prompting the Ecuadorian Football Federation to lodge a formal complaint with organisers.
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England manager Thomas Tuchel anticipated the disruption but played down its potential impact.
“We start at 6 p.m. on Sunday, so if we miss a few hours of sleep, we will catch up in the late morning,” Tuchel said on Saturday.
These late-night ‘serenades’ in hotels are a deep-rooted and polarizing tradition in Latin American football. Although they started out as a passionate show of support for the home team, they have increasingly evolved into a psychological weapon designed to deprive opponents of their sleep.
Published on July 5, 2026
