England plot to keep Mexico hotel secret from boisterous locals before World Cup clash

England are keen to keep the identification of their team hotel under wraps ahead of their World Cup last-16 clash with Mexico. But due to FIFA tournament rules teams have to be in the city hosting the game within 24 hours of kick off, which is 8pm local time on Sunday, making it difficult to avoid attention from local supporters.

Thousands of Mexican supporters are planning to gather outside the England team hotel. This will see them use loudspeakers cars music motorbikes and horns to disrupt the squad's sleep. The ambush promises to provide a logistical nightmare for England and the FA.

Ecuador faced an identical problem ahead of their last-32 game with Mexico in Mexico City this week. The Ecuador team were kept awake from midnight until the early hours of the morning due to a huge gathering outside their hotel. Mexico won 2-0, setting up the blockbuster meeting with England.

Keeping rival teams awake on the eve of games has become a huge tradition in Mexico. The ambushes are now used as a polarising weapon aimed at weakening rival sides ahead of big matches. The Ecuadorian Federation lodged a complaint to FIFA after the incident, stating it had not upheld the principles of fair play and equal sporting conditions expected at a World Cup.

Local police will be in place at England's team base, but attention from Mexican fans appears inevitable. England would prefer a late arrival in Mexico City to mitigate the effects of altitude, but FIFA regulations require teams to arrive in the host city at least 24 hours before kick-off, making it difficult to avoid attention ahead of the fixture.