A rebel army of Mexicans wants the Three Lions to win the World Cup thanks to a bunch of Cornish miners - and smash hit football comedy Mike Bassett: England Manager.
The two nations could meet in a mouth-watering last 16 clash at Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca - where Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand Of God’ goal dumped England out in 1986.
While playing in front of 87,000 Mexicans 7,000ft above sea level in stifling 40C heat could strike fear into the hearts of Thomas Tuchel ’s team they need not worry - because many of the home fans will be secretly supporting them.
Mexico has had a deep-rooted love of English football since a mob of Cornishmen who headed over in 1824 to revive flooded silver mines introduced the North American nation to the game. Fans of Mexico’s first football club CF Pachuca unfurl a tifo on the terraces of a pickaxe-wielding miner with a Cornish pastie.
The club serves the beef treats - with chilli - as half-time snacks. Mexicans have been bonkers about English football ever since - a love affair cemented by the country’s role in 2001 mockumentary Mike Bassett, starring Ricky Tomlinson, Amanda Redman and Bradley Walsh.
The movie - in which lower league boss ‘on me head son’ Bassett gets the England job because no-one else wants it was a smash hit in Mexico largely because in it they wallop the Three Lions 4-0 at the World Cup.
Beaches in the nation’s party capital Cancun were packed with Mexicans dressed in bikinis in England’s colours happily posing for photos with flags of St George and chanting: “Viva Ingleterra”.
On the resort’s Dolphin Beach, Marisol Campos sported a red swimsuit with white shorts while her pal Caro Garza had a Three Lions-coloured red bikini. “We like Ingleterra - all Mexico does,” said the duo as they waved England flags.
Even Tuesday’s disappointing goalless draw with Ghana did not dampen enthusiasm. Bar worker Maria Herrera said: “If Mexico plays England it will be just wow. “Many Mexicans love English football and support their teams - Manchester United , Arsenal , Fulham. I’m not sure who most will want to win - even my father. Me? I like Jude Bellingham. He’s very beautiful.”
Guide Arturo Cortes said: “The love affair goes back many years. Mexico only has football because of England. We only have Cornish pies because of England. We are each passionate about both.
“Then came Mike Bassett. Then Javier Hernandez signed for Manchester United. Now many Mexicans play in England. The bond is deep.
“Loyalties will be tested if the two teams meet. Some Mexicans may secretly support England because they will have the best chance of winning. We want someone to stop the US.”
Cancun - visited by 200,000 Brits-a-year - is the only Mexican city with direct flights to all 16 World Cup host cities and knows how to party.
Apart from a fanzone, multiple sports bars and watch parties it boasts a Boobs Cruise - at which revellers must donate their bikini tops to form a flag on the boat - and partner-swapping adult-only resort Temptation.
But captain Harry Kane should steer clear if England end 60 years of hurt by lifting the trophy. According to loyal Mayan tradition the winning skipper of their ancient ball game pok-ta-pok at the nearby Chichen Itza pyramids would be sacrificed to the gods by having his heart hacked out while it was still beating.
Mexicans are not the Three Lions’ only secret supporters. We told earlier this week how Americans are also backing England. Police and FIFA reckon 15,000 pulled on England shirts to double the ranks of fans at the opening 4-2 victory over Croatia in Dallas. US law student Abby Shields, 22, said: “I got a shirt because of Jude Bellingham.”
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