Mexico v England (Estadio Azteca, Round of 16)
The key selection question for Gareth Southgate is how to cover the two absences at the back: Reece James and Jarell Quansah are reported doubts, forcing at least one change to the defensive four that started the previous fixture.
Mexico (4-3-3)
| Pos | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | J. Rangel |
| RB | J. Sánchez |
| CB | C. Montes |
| CB | J. Vásquez |
| LB | J. Gallardo |
| CM | G. Mora |
| CM | É. Lira |
| CM | L. Romo |
| RW | R. Alvarado |
| ST | R. Jiménez |
| LW | J. Quiñones |
Mexico carry over their previous XI without alteration. Javier Aguirre's side have lost only once in their last five and will bank on the familiar 4-3-3 shape to press England high at the Azteca. Gilberto Mora anchors the midfield three, with Luis Romo and Erik Lira providing the engine room on either side. Raúl Jiménez leads the line with Roberto Alvarado and Julián Quiñones providing width.
England (4-2-3-1)
| Pos | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | J. Pickford |
| RB | D. Spence |
| CB | E. Konsa |
| CB | M. Guéhi |
| LB | N. Oreilly |
| DM | D. Rice |
| CM | E. Anderson |
| RW | B. Saka |
| AM | J. Bellingham |
| LW | A. Gordon |
| ST | H. Kane |
Should Quansah and James both miss out, we expect Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson to hold their positions in the double pivot while John Stones would be the natural cover at centre-back, but Stones is listed in the squad as a defender and we slot Ezri Konsa alongside Marc Guéhi at the heart of defence as both featured in the previous XI. Darnell Spence comes in at right-back to cover for the absent James, and Nico O'Reilly holds the left-back slot. The attacking shape stays intact: Saka, Bellingham, and Gordon support Harry Kane.
The biggest doubt surrounds Darnell Spence stepping into a high-pressure knockout fixture at right-back against Mexico's direct right-side threat from Roberto Alvarado.
Portugal v Spain (Round of 16)
This is the standout tie of the round and the selection question is whether Roberto Martínez makes any move to contain Spain's creative midfield, or backs the same attacking 4-2-3-1 that edged past Croatia.
Portugal (4-2-3-1)
| Pos | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Diogo Costa |
| RB | João Cancelo |
| CB | Rúben Dias |
| CB | Renato Veiga |
| LB | Nuno Mendes |
| DM | João Neves |
| DM | Vitinha |
| RW | Pedro Neto |
| AM | Bruno Fernandes |
| LW | Rafael Leão |
| ST | Cristiano Ronaldo |
No injuries and a winning record in the last fixture mean Portugal name an unchanged side. Diogo Costa anchors in goal, Rúben Dias and Renato Veiga form the centre-back pairing, and João Cancelo provides attacking width from right-back. João Neves and Vitinha are trusted to match Spain's midfield intensity in the double pivot. Cristiano Ronaldo leads the line with Pedro Neto and Rafael Leão offering pace on the flanks, while Bruno Fernandes operates in the number ten role.
Spain (4-2-3-1)
| Pos | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Unai Simón |
| RB | Pedro Porro |
| CB | Pau Cubarsí Paredes |
| CB | Aymeric Laporte |
| LB | Marc Cucurella |
| DM | Rodri |
| DM | Pedri |
| RW | Lamine Yamal |
| AM | Dani Olmo |
| LW | Álex Baena |
| ST | Mikel Oyarzabal |
Spain are also unchanged from their win over Austria. Luis de la Fuente has no fitness concerns listed and his preferred 4-2-3-1 remains the blueprint. Rodri and Pedri screen the defence as a double pivot, Lamine Yamal terrorises down the right, and Dani Olmo links play through the middle. Mikel Oyarzabal leads the line with Álex Baena providing the left-sided threat.
The biggest x-factor in this fixture is Rafael Leão against Pedro Porro: if Leão finds top gear down that left channel, Spain's right side will be under serious pressure throughout.
This article was researched and drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team.