9 days to go

England’s recent friendly opponents Mexico are the unfortunate holders of the World Cup’s worst losing streak in history, and it began at the tournament’s very first match.

From their 4-1 defeat to France in the joint-opening game of the inaugural 1930 event, Mexico failed to register a point in nine World Cups, spanning 28 years.

They lost all three matches in 1930, failed to qualify for the tournament in ’34 and ’38, lost three matches in 1950 and lost the two matches played in ’54.

At Sweden ’58 they were beaten 3-0 by the hosts in their opening group game before breaking their duck with a 1-1 draw with Wales.

They were still knocked out of the tournament, however, after their third-match defeat to Hungary. They finally registered their first win in 1962, beating Czechoslovakia 3-1 at the Group Stage.