After the group stage reached its conclusion on Tuesday, England learned they will take on Mexico in a first ever meeting between the two nations in the play-in round at the 2025 World Lacrosse Men’s U20 Championship in Jeju, Korea on Wednesday.
It’s good news for those England fans tuning in at home as the game will face-off at 11am UK time with a favourable (and less sweaty) 7pm start in Korea.
England enter the play-in round ranked eighth after their group stage performance with opponents Mexico ranked ninth.
In Group D, Mexico finished second after two wins against Israel and China before a final 7-4 defeat to Ireland on Tuesday.
England, on the other hand, go in after a perfect group stage performance saw them come away with three wins in three against Jamaica, New Zealand, and Korea.
Youngster Archie Gold tops the scoring charts for England with 12 and his eight assists put him in second place overall in the tournament assists tally.
Attacker Drew Wilkinson is England’s top goalscorer with 10 putting him in joint second place in the overall chart alongside tomorrow’s opponent Ezekiel Peraza.
Mexico’s 2025 appearance at the Men’s U20 Championship is its second after a debut performance in 2016 where they finished 16th.
They’re led by experienced Head Coach Jake Padilla who has coached at the University of Detroit Mercy, Colorado Mesa University, Rutgers University, Oberlin College, and Wabash College.
Aaron Escobedo turned out for Mexico’s senior men’s side at the 2023 World Lacrosse Championship in San Diego helping them to a 15th place finish.
Another one to watch in the Mexico ranks is defender Francisco Rosas who has played three seasons with NCAA Division III side Manhattanville University.
England fans can follow the action through the England Lacrosse Instagram channel HERE or watch the whole game live on World Lacrosse TV HERE.