England’s last-16 tie against Mexico already rivals the most expensive World Cup knockout fixtures ever – with tickets advertised at up to $36,000 [£27,300].

Harry Kane’s two-goal rescue act, securing a 2-1 victory over Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) on Wednesday, has set up a mouthwatering fixture at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium. Profiteering is rampant on Fifa’s resale website for the fixture, which kicks off at 1am on Monday, UK time. Here are the costs and challenges awaiting fans travelling for the blockbuster encounter.

How many England fans have tickets?

During most of this World Cup, England will have felt like they were playing in front of a home crowd. There have been about 25,000 England fans cheering on Thomas Tuchel’s team, with expats and Three Lions-supporting Americans adding to the official travelling support. However, on Sunday, the Mexicans will take up the vast majority of tickets inside the 80,000-capacity Azteca, the historic stadium that played host to Pelé’s brilliance in 1970 and Diego Maradona’s Hand of God in 1986. Telegraph Sport understands 4,000 England fans will be travelling via the official allocation that was released to the Football Association in January. All national bodies are able to reserve tickets depending on their qualification. About 8,000 England fans in the stadium appears possible, but those who have left it late to pick up tickets on the secondary market will have paid thousands of pounds each.

What did the early birds pay and what are tickets going for now?

Those who picked up tickets via the official release to the England supporters club were able to pick up tickets for $235 for a cheapest Category 3 seat, $605 for a Category 2 and $770 for a Category 1. Those who managed to secure a seat during the window in January have secured a bargain compared to the prices being paid now. As the full-time whistle blew on England’s last-32 victory over DR Congo, the officials resale platform was offering a Category 1 at up to $35,648.85, a Category 2 for up to $11,845 and a Category 3 for between $4,082 and $19,453.40. At this tournament, demand affects value and millions of Mexicans have been clamouring to secure tickets for what the country is billing as the biggest football match it has ever played.

Atlanta is 1,700 miles from Mexico City... what about travel costs?

England fans already in the US have become used to paying hotel room bills for upwards of $300 a night, but they are now also facing enormous flight prices, especially those attempting direct flights from Atlanta. Flights were upwards of £730 during the coming days and climbing on Wednesday night. Thomas Concannon, of the Football Supporters’ Association’s England Fans’ embassy team, told Telegraph Sport that most cost-conscious fans are flying indirectly. “Luckily many sorted prior,” he said of those flying with the official group of fans. “A few are even going to Cancun where you can get a cheap flight.”

What chaos awaits England on the ground?

England fans face the most potential chaos at a match since unsavoury scenes around Wembley Stadium at the Euro 2020 final. A major security operation swung into action in Mexico City for the tournament’s opening match, successfully ensuring the match kicked off on time. However, outside there were riots by various campaign groups – and they are likely to target this significantly bigger match. Once again, up to two miles of roads around the ground are likely to be blocked to traffic for hours before kick-off. There will also be concerns about the sheer volume of excited Mexicans on the streets. Three Mexico fans were crushed to death after a million people took to the streets in wild scenes of partying following the team’s 2-0 victory over Ecuador.

What are authorities advising?

With cartels rampant in Mexico and accusations of corruption levelled at police, fans are being urged to take precautions. The UK Football Policing Unit has referred to highlighted Foreign Office guidance which “advises against all but essential travel to parts of Mexico”. Officers are heartened, however, by the good behaviour so far by England fans, with only five arrests in the US. “The behaviour of England fans – and of course the Scots – has been excellent throughout the group stages of the World Cup,” Chief Constable Mark Roberts, head of the UK Football Policing Unit, said. Roberto Lopez, a municipal police commander in Guadalajara, which has also hosted matches in Mexico, said his nation is using “every tool” to keep fans safe. “It’s an unimaginable effort that we have done over here,” he told Telegraph Sport.

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