Mexico and South Korea will face each other in Group A of the 2026 World Cup

Lewis Hamilton once again showed why he is the king of Silverstone. The British driver achieved pole position for the sprint race of the British Grand Prix, beating Kimi Antonelli by just 0.011 seconds. Max Verstappen came third, followed by Charles Leclerc.

But this pole has a special nuance. Hamilton achieved the fastest time on a circuit that, in his own words, “is completely different” this year due to changes in the energy management of Formula 1 cars.

The new Silverstone formula

The cars of the 2026 season depend more on the battery, and Silverstone, with its fast corners and long straights, complicates recharging. Hamilton explained that the drivers have had to adjust their style: they now have to lift their foot in areas where they previously went full throttle to recharge energy.

“Normally the engine is howling when you enter Copse… This year, the engine will coast. Maggotts and Becketts just aren’t going to feel the same,” he declared.

The seven-time champion acknowledged that this could be a setback for him and Ferrari, although time on the track demonstrated his ability to adapt.

The streak of home races

So far this year, no driver has scored points in their local Grand Prix. The best position was Antonelli’s ninth place in Italy last September. Piastri did not start in Australia and Leclerc abandoned in Monaco.

However, Great Britain bucks the trend. Hamilton has nine victories here, Norris is the defending champion and Russell is coming off a win in Austria. Additionally, last month they achieved the first all-British podium since 1968.

Hamilton was emotional after qualifying: “I love this place, I love this crowd and I can’t express how big of a dream it is.”

Sunday’s race promises to be a different spectacle, but with the same protagonist: a Hamilton who continues writing history at home.

The phrase that unifies Mexico. Since the team beat Ecuador 2-0 in the round of 32 – its first victory in a direct elimination match in 40 years – a question has resonated in the streets, cafes and newscasts: “What if?”

The origin is in a viral video recovered by Efraín Juárez, Pumas coach, when he asked: “What if yes, what if the Pumas are champions?”. Now, “what if” is the mantra of the tricolor fans.

The illusion grows. Mexico will face England in the round of 16, a duel that many call an early “final.” Lawyer Carlos Mejía sums it up:

“Mexico is going to play with a world power and the entire table is set for it to achieve a historic milestone. For us it is a final, because from here, if we advance, we go to Miami, Atlanta. The goal is New York (host of the final).”

The echo in the streets. The seller Nicolás Calixto, dressed in a jersey and scarf from El Tri, explains:

“It has already become our motto. It’s like at first doubts, but… What if it happens? The question really is, why can’t Mexico be champion?”

Younger players adopted the phrase on social networks. Even coach Javier Aguirre joked when asked: he said that he had not heard it until shortly before and that he would scold his children for not telling him.

The festive atmosphere has infected international visitors. The British Andrew Doyle, who follows the English team from Dallas, says:

“In the United States they enjoy the tournament, but in Mexico they understand the real emotion of soccer. They live it with more passion. Mexicans see this as a final and it really is. It will be the last game in Mexico and they are enjoying it to the fullest. I think they have a good chance, it will be very even.”

Midfielder Erik Lira already warned: “We are not going to settle for anything. The ceiling is very high.” An entire country bought the illusion and dyed avenues, shops and parks green.

The change in schedule for the round of 16 match between Mexico and England not only affected English fans. It also generated a strong reaction from Javier Aguirre, coach of the Mexican National Team.

Reaction of the Mexican coach

Originally scheduled for 6:00 p.m., the match will take place at noon at the Mexico City Stadium. Aguirre, known as Vasco, did not hide his annoyance.

“Not at all, zero, name… no advantage, on the contrary, I tell you it’s all designed for, since that day in Ecuador we commented, we knew the schedule, we knew the venue, we didn’t know the rival, it’s true, but at the end of the day, they do break my mother a little bit. We have no choice but to abide by what FIFA says,” declared the tricolor helmsman in an interview with Grupo Formula.
Aguirre said he was “pretty pissed” because the change affects his planning prior to Sunday’s game at the Coloso de Santa Úrsula.

“Of course, the food, the nap, the sleep, the physiotherapy, everything, everything, seems silly, but it is not. Today 60 people are working here so that these 26 friends go out on Sunday to win the game, I mean, it is not a minor thing. The truth is that the change is quite important and I tell you, I can understand reasons and arguments, but he did not consult me and yes, I am quite angry,” he asserted.

The coach described the news as “a kick in the stomach” and pointed out that it forces the entire work plan to be readjusted. “I don’t like it at all, obviously we will abide by what FIFA says, but I, especially me, don’t like it at all, nor do my players,” he concluded.

Aguirre finished with a laconic “swallow water and garlic”, making clear his disagreement with the decision of the governing body of world football.