A World Cup nation has lodged an official FIFA complaint against Mexico as they begin preparations for a huge Round of 16 clash with England on Sunday night. El Tri appeared to have progressed to the next knockout stage with little complication after a 2-0 win over Ecuador at the Azteca Stadium.

The same cannot be said about England, who trudged through to a late 2-1 comeback win against tournament debutants DR Congo in Atlanta. Harry Kane scored twice in the final 20 minutes to overturn a shock opener inside seven minutes, rescuing what proved to be a banana skin for Thomas Tuchel’s side. Their first major tournament under the German coach very nearly came to an abrupt end, and their next encounter is shaping up to be his biggest test yet.

Mexican media have already spoken up about their chances ahead of the weekend showdown, with atmosphere, altitude, and El Tri’s historic performances this summer giving them every reason to be confident. However, off-field matters have not been as rosy, with Mexico now facing a second complaint from Ecuador following the Round of 32 after already being criticised for a shocking chant.

Mexico Facing Second Complaint Ahead of England Clash

Diego Vara via Reuters

As per the Mirror, the Ecuadorian Football Federation has lodged a complaint to FIFA after an incident in Mexico City, which saw the team’s hotel ambushed by hundreds of Mexico fans letting off fireworks into the early hours of the morning before their knockout match.

Stating the football governing body had not upheld the principles of fair play and equality a World Cup should be all about, the baptism of fire that the South American nation had faced upon their arrival in the capital city was similar to the scenes seen during Champions League matches in Europe, but on a whole other scale. Watch below:

Local media reported that around 1,000 Mexico supporters staged a noisy ‘serenade’ – a musical performance given to honour or express love – in Mexico City on Monday. El Tri have now won all four matches this summer without conceding a single goal – they are the first nation to achieve that feat since Italy in 1990.

How England Plan to Avoid Mexico Fans’ Chaotic Tactics

Kai Pfaffenbach via Reuters

The ambush promises to provide a logistical nightmare for England and the FA. England would prefer a late arrival in Mexico City – to mitigate the effects of it being at altitude. England are also keen to keep the identification of the team hotel under wraps.

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. Local police will be in place at the team base – but attention from Mexican fans will be inevitable, adding to the problems they already face going into the fixture.

Legendary seven-time singles Grand Slam winner John McEnroe has revealed his clear frontrunner to win Wimbledon this year, with his pick unlikely to leave fans surprised.

This year’s edition of the prestigious tournament got underway on Monday with plenty of stars of the sport in action in round one as they look to walk away with the £3,600,000 prize money and etch their name in history.

McEnroe, a three-time winner at the tournament in the 1980s, knows just what it takes to be victorious on Centre Court and earmarked none other than the current world No.1 Jannik Sinner as the out-and-out favourite to repeat his Wimbledon win of 2025.

The odds are increasingly in the Italian’s favour to do just that, with his arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz, who he defeated in the final to secure his first win at SW19 in a four-set thriller, forced to withdraw from the tournament due to an ongoing wrist injury he picked up back in April.

Alcaraz was one of many big names that announced they would not take part at Wimbledon this year in the men’s section, with Lorenzo Musetti, Valentin Vacherot, and home favourite Jack Draper also confirming their absences in the lead-up to one of the biggest events in tennis.

That is not to say Sinner won’t find worthwhile adversaries as he looks to win back-to-back Wimbledon titles. He has already had his hands full in the first round, where he dropped two sets to Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic before eventually seeing off his opponent to progress.

The Italian found his stride in the next round, with a more recognisable performance to dispatch Nuno Borges 7-6, 7-6, 6-4 to set up a third-round tie with American Jenson Brooksby, who has reached as high as world number 33.

After he defeated Borges in straight sets, McEnroe pointed to that clinical display as proof that the 24-year-old is returning to his best.

What John McEnroe Has Said About Wimbledon 2026

Toby Melville via Reuters

“It was a great test for him,” stated McEnroe.

“He played a guy playing as good as he could play, throwing a lot at him and made him come up with the goods in some tense moments.

Having endured a bitterly disappointing stint at the French Open in May, which ended with a second-round defeat, question marks had been raised over whether Sinner could go far at the All England Club.

Marko Djurica via Reuters

When asked about that shock loss at Roland Garros and whether the four-time major winner could legitimately be named as the odds-on favourite, McEnroe answered emphatically.

“There is a little dent in the armour which you saw in France. There’s always that risk when you don’t play any matches (on grass before the tournament).

“You’re a little bit unsure the first couple of rounds, but he’s going to go into Friday feeling a lot better than he did two sets to one down on Monday as the defending champion.”

Manchester United will have to look at alternative midfield options after missing out on the signature of Mateus Fernandes.

Amid talk of a big-money move from West Ham, the Portuguese ace will be remaining in London for the new season after agreeing a transfer to Tottenham.

Much will be expected of the Red Devils heading into the 2026/27 season after a positive campaign under Michael Carrick, with a midfield overhaul expected to happen as they look to go strong in both the Premier League and Champions League.

Following Fernandes’ snub, a familiar name has cropped up again as United look to add some much-needed options to that area of the pitch.

Baleba return?

Manchester United have Carlos Baleba on their list when it comes to signing a new midfielder, according to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs.

The Red Devils were keen on signing the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder 12 months ago but a deal never came to fruition.

United did approach the Seagulls for the 22-year-old last summer, only to be put off by their £100m price tag.

Jacobs said in April that offers under £70m are unlikely to be considered, with the journalist also confirming that the player only wants United.

The Cameroon international, who club chiefs reportedly view as the ‘new Casemiro’, received rave reviews during the 2024/25 season, thus leading to Manchester United’s interest in him, and he still went on to feature regularly for Fabio Hurzeler’s team last term.

Baleba may not have had the same influence in 2025/26 as he did the previous season, but Brighton will still be looking to get as close to their valuation of the player as possible.

Alternative midfield options

United have a number of options as they look to take their midfield to the next level.

The club already have one player set to add to Carrick’s numbers in the middle of the park, with Ederson set to officially complete a move to Old Trafford from Atalanta once his participation at this summer’s World Cup with Brazil is officially over.

According to Jacobs, Manchester United are set to explore a move for Bournemouth star Alex Scott after seeing Fernandes opt for a £85m switch to Tottenham.

The Cherries are keen to tie the former Bristol City midfielder down to a new contract at the Vitality Stadium after a standout season that saw him called up to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the very first time.

Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham and Chelsea are other clubs to watch when it comes to a move for Scott, who Bournemouth value around £80m.

Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni joins Baleba on United’s list, with Sander Berge of Fulham another name discussed.