Mexico do not need to learn these conditions; they live with them. Matches in Mexico City and Guadalajara bring not only heat and noise, but thinner air that can punish any side built around pressing, repeat sprints and fast recovery.
Sports scientist Sam Shepherd is quoted as saying altitude brings “a faster onset of fatigue, higher heart rates at any given running intensity, and a reduced capacity to sustain the high-intensity efforts that define modern international football.” In tournament football, that matters. A team can look fine for an hour, then suddenly lose legs, shape and control.
The report says South Africa have chosen Pachuca, at close to 8,000ft, ahead of their opener against Mexico on 11 June. South Korea are also said to have taken the issue seriously, spending time in Salt Lake City. Coach Hong Myung-bo said his squad had “very little exposure to this environment” and added: “We now have detailed plans not only for training but also for what happens off the pitch during our stay.”
That sounds smart. Altitude preparation is not just about running harder; it is about sleep, hydration, recovery and pacing.
That is where Czechia appear more vulnerable. The report says they are based near Dallas and will fly into Mexico City for their final Group A match on 24 June. Coach Miroslav Koubek admitted: “We would have to spend a month in the environment to get adapted to it but there's no time for that.”
The next storyline is obvious. Once games kick off, watch the second halves in Mexico closely. Fresh legs, smart rotation and altitude management may prove just as important as talent.