England captain Harry Kane has urged his teammates to be ready for a tough test when they face their team-mates Mexico in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 at the famous Estadio Azteca. The knockout encounter, which will take place on July 6 at 5:30 AM IST, pits an unbeaten England team against a Mexico side that has enjoyed a successful campaign at home.Mexico enter the competition in top form, winning all four of their matches at the top of Group A. They have scored eight goals without conceding a single one, thriving in quick transitions while making full use of the lofty space in Mexico City.Meanwhile, England are unbeaten and have secured their place in the Round of 16 with a 2-1 win over DR Congo. While the Three Lions have also scored eight goals in the competition, questions remain about fatigue after a tough club game.Speaking ahead of the big clash, Kane acknowledged the scale of the problem and insisted England must be ready to change if they are to progress.“It will be a very difficult game for many different reasons. First of all, Mexico is a very good team. Then all these other small points will make it very difficult, but from our point of view it is another opportunity to increase the strength. It is kind of the best time to do that,” said Kane, as explained by Goal.com.The England international added that the curve ball is often needed for teams to find different ways to win.“So there are no excuses in a game like this. We know it will be difficult. We know we will have to grind. We can find another way to win. But that’s what the World Cup is. Everyone is looking forward to the event, the stadium, the atmosphere, and finally put themselves in that game. That’s why you teach like we do. That’s why you play football – and have this great game,” he added. Kane has been one of the best performers in the game, scoring five goals to lead England. The player is also at the peak of his career, having scored five goals in a FIFA World Cup knockout match. Another strike would see him equal England’s Gary Lineker’s record of six international goals.