The British Foreign Office issued new warnings on Wednesday for English fans traveling to Mexico City for the Round of 16 match between England and Mexico, which will take place on Sunday at the historic Azteca Stadium. The statement warns of an “increase in reports of mobile phone theft and cases of drink spiking” and highlights deaths that occurred early Wednesday morning in the capital (the Foreign Office reports three, though authorities have confirmed four) after the Mexican national team eliminated Ecuador in the Round of 32 (2-0).
The agency also advises fans to take care of their passports should they wish to travel to the United States “for a subsequent match.” “If you plan to return to the United States and your passport is lost or stolen, an emergency travel document issued by the British Embassy cannot be used to re-enter the United States from Mexico,” it notes.
The World Cup-related warnings issued on Wednesday by the British agency add to previous advisories that discourage travel to certain areas of the country unless “strictly essential.” The Foreign Office recommends avoiding areas in 11 Mexican states—mostly due to the impact of organized crime: Baja California (highlighting parts of Tijuana and Tecate), Chihuahua, almost all of Sinaloa (except parts of Mazatlán and Los Mochis), Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Jalisco, Colima, Guerrero, and Chiapas.
Mexican fans are experiencing days of great excitement as one of the tournament’s hosts (alongside the United States and Canada) and in support of their national team. The Angel of Independence monument, in the heart of the capital, has borne witness to this; celebrations following Mexico’s victory over Ecuador drew more than a million people to the area surrounding the monument, according to official figures.
The number of people involved has been rising, yet the celebrations have remained massive ever since *El Tricolor’s* first tournament victory (a 2–0 win over South Africa on June 11). The mass celebrations in the early hours of Wednesday resulted in four fatalities. The capital’s Head of Government, Clara Brugada, reported that three of the victims were found unconscious on Paseo de la Reforma and died of asphyxiation. The fourth died in the hospital following an epileptic seizure.
Javier Aguirre’s team secured a spot in the Round of 16 on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the English team also confirmed their qualification after defeating DR Congo, with Harry Kane scoring twice (2–1). The Foreign Ministry issued the warning following that match. Both teams will compete for a place in the quarterfinals this Sunday, July 5, at the Azteca Stadium.
