England coach Tuchel dismisses Viagra rumor before Mexico World Cup clash

England’s head coach Thomas Tuchel denied circulating claims that his squad would use Viagra to mitigate the effects of the high altitude at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca ahead of their Round‑of‑16 World Cup match against co‑hosts Mexico. Tuchel said, “The information about Viagra didn’t reach me, so it’s not true.” Midfielder Jordan Henderson later joked when asked about the rumor, replying “Well, the Viagra helped, I’m joking!” – a comment that went viral on social media.

The stadium sits at roughly 2,240‑2,400 metres above sea level, a factor that has prompted widespread discussion about player preparation. While sildenafil is not on the World Anti‑Doping Agency’s prohibited list, Tuchel affirmed that England will not use the drug. The team arrived in Mexico a few days early, trained at the Pumas’ “Quarry” base, and is focused on adapting naturally to the thin air. The match follows England’s 2‑1 Round‑of‑16 qualifying win over the Democratic Republic of Congo, with hopes of progressing further in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.