Ladbrokes previews Mexico vs England in the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, with bet builder tips
Low-scoring match tipped to end all square after 90 minutes, with England eventually progressing to the last eight
Harry Kane tipped to score once again, while Mexico's Jesus Gallardo picks up a card
Ladbrokes brings you an in-depth match preview for Mexico vs England in the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, including odds, predictions, and bet builder tips.
Having scraped through a nail-biting RO32 tie against DR Congo thanks to Harry Kane's brace, England's reward is a trip to Mexico City to take on the unbeaten co-hosts. A lot has been made of the unfamiliar conditions, and with Mexico keeping four clean sheets from four, this will be England's toughest test yet - but will Thomas Tuchel's side prove why they're still one of the outright favourites to go all the way?
Below, we've put together the ultimate Mexico vs England bet builder, with potential starting lineups, our score prediction, and the latest live betting markets - so read on!
Our prediction: Mexico 1-1 England (England to qualify for the quarter-finals)
Mexico vs England: Predicted lineups
Mexico
Our predicted XI (4-3-3): Rangel / Sanchez, Montes, Vasquez, Gallardo / Mora, Lira, Romo / Alvarado, Jimenez, Quinones
England
Our predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford / Konsa, Stones, Guehi, O'Reilly / Rice, Anderson / Saka, Bellingham, Gordon / Kane
Mexico vs England: Bet builder tips
Under 2.5 goals to be scored in Mexico vs England
First up in our latest England bet builder, we're predicting a low-scoring game to produce under 2.5 goals, with two of the tournament's meanest defences going toe-to-toe in Mexico City.
Co-hosts Mexico are one of just two teams at the 2026 World Cup who are yet to concede a single goal, with four consecutive clean sheets helping them cruise through Group A and breeze past Ecuador in the last 32, and while England's frontline offers a new level of quality, we still think they'll stand fairly strong. Javier Aguirre's side haven't conceded more than once in a game since November 2025, and with only three of England's last 10 matches producing three or more goals, everything points to a tense, low-scoring affair here.
So our experts are predicting a close RO16 contest in the Mexican capital, with under 2.5 goals being scored in the match.
Harry Kane to score anytime in the Round of 16
While we aren't expecting many goals, we are predicting another huge strike from Harry Kane, with the England skipper finding the net to take his career World Cup tally to 14 - creeping ahead of Just Fontaine in the all-time standings.
The 2026 Ballon d'Or frontrunner is certainly delivering for his country, with five goals in England's opening four games putting him right in the thick of the Golden Boot battle, and as one of just three players to have scored for the Three Lions this summer, it's a good thing he's maintained his form. Kane became just the second man to score 70 goals in a single season with his brace against DR Congo, and with an average of just under five shots per 90 - 50% of which hit the target - he's the standout candidate to beat Raul Rangel in the Mexico goal.
So captain Harry Kane to score anytime is our second pick here, with the 32-year-old continuing to prove why he's widely considered England's greatest-ever striker.
Full-back Jesus Gallardo to be shown a card
Mexico haven't picked up many cards so far this summer, with just two yellows (and a red) across their first four games - but we're tipping another one here, with left-back Jesus Gallardo having his name taken by the referee.
The RO16 will produce the 31-year-old's toughest test so far in this one, with the defender lining up against either Bukayo Saka or Noni Madueke - England's top two when it comes to successful dribbles per 90. Gallardo's World Cup average of over 1.5 fouls committed per game will encourage the Three Lions wingers to get at him repeatedly, and with the Toluca full-back conceding three free kicks in Mexico's Round of 32 victory, he's sure to catch the referee's eye again here.
With that in mind, we're tipping Gallardo to be shown a card in this one, as the experienced Mexican struggles to cope with England's relentless right-hand side.
England to qualify for the quarter-finals
Rounding off our Mexico vs England match preview and prediction, we're tipping the Three Lions to get the better of their hosts and qualify for the quarter-finals - whether that's inside 90 minutes, 120 minutes, or even after a penalty shootout.
It's no secret just how formidable El Tri have been at their home ground over the last 89 games, only losing twice, but they rarely welcome opponents of England's level to the Mexico City Stadium - and we're backing Thomas Tuchel's side to show everyone why they're still priced among the outright favourites to win a first World Cup since 1966. While Mexico are a dangerous opponent, they'll also be incredibly wary of England's star quality, and know they'll have to be at their very best to reach the last eight - so we should be in for a cracker in the early hours of Monday morning.
So to end on a positive note, we're backing the Three Lions (perhaps optimistically) to get the job done one way or another, setting up a memorable quarter-final against Norway or Brazil.
You can bet on each of these markets individually, or combine them to create a Mexico vs England Bet Builder. Plus, with Bet Builder+, you can combine your bet not only with other World Cup matches, but also with different sports.
Mexico vs England takes place on Monday, 6 July, with kick-off for the Round of 16 match scheduled for 01:00 BST.
How can I watch Mexico vs England at the World Cup?
The World Cup match, Mexico vs England, will be shown live on BBC and BBC iPlayer for UK viewers.
Can you bet on Mexico vs England?
Ladbrokes are offering customers the chance to bet on a number of Mexico vs England markets, including match result, both teams to score, and over/under total goals.
