England fan scrambles for ticket as pal enjoys Azteca dream before Mexico clash

Two lifelong friends and Manchester United season ticket holders have travelled together to Mexico City for England’s World Cup showdown with the hosts, but only one of them has a ticket for the match itself. The Mirror reports that James Rogers, 41, paid £850 for his seat at the Estadio Azteca, while his pal John Fayer, 64, is still hunting for a “last minute miracle” to get inside the ground.

The pair, both from Kent, made an early pilgrimage to the famous stadium ahead of kick-off. Rogers, a diplomat from Maidstone, told the Mirror he was “so excited” to be there, describing the Azteca as “like a cathedral for football” and joking that his ticket cost the same as his Manchester United season pass.

“England had better turn up and win,” Rogers said, according to the Mirror.

Fayer, from Canterbury and the director of a children’s home, has not missed a Manchester United fixture, home or away, in 34 years, with illness the only reason he has ever stayed away. Despite that remarkable record, he admitted he had no idea where he would end up watching England’s match if a ticket does not materialise.

“I just haven’t been able to get a ticket, I’m still trying but at the moment I haven’t got a clue where I will watch it,” Fayer told the Mirror. “I’m still trying but there’s nothing around.”

Heavy security around England’s camp

While the two friends explored the stadium, England’s squad were dealing with an entirely different atmosphere back at their team hotel. The Mirror reports that huge numbers of riot police were deployed after minor protests broke out, with fireworks let off and a band arriving outside before being moved on by security.

Around 500 Mexican supporters gathered outside the hotel, with the mood described as largely good-natured despite a mixture of boos and cheers, including chants of “Mexico, Mexico, Mexico”. England’s squad bus was also given a heavily armed military escort to training through the busy streets of the capital, with national guard vehicles positioned both ahead and behind, and sniffer dogs used to check the bus for explosives beforehand.

Kane urges fans to make the most of it

Harry Kane has encouraged supporters back home to embrace the unusual kick-off times that come with a World Cup staged across the Atlantic. “We know how much the World Cup means to everyone and all the fans at home,” Kane said, as quoted by the Mirror. “So I’m hoping there will be a few all-nighters to be honest, just going all the way through, and celebrating until the next day and then catch up on some sleep after that.”

He added: “Obviously it’s very late and we all appreciate the support. That’s what sometimes makes the World Cup unique, is these different timings and different memories that you create. I think everyone would love nothing more than to be celebrating as the sun’s rising at 5, 6am.”

Read more: Mexican government ‘behind England kick-off chaos’ as fans lay siege to hotel