Few nations carry more passion into a World Cup than Mexico. El Tri have appeared at 17 previous World Cups and are one of the most recognisable footballing nations on the planet.
Their fanbase is among the most devoted in the world – and this summer they host the tournament for a record third time, having previously done so in 1970 and 1986.
Football in Mexico is not just sport. It is culture, identity and national pride all wrapped into one. The country’s top-flight Liga MX is one of the most watched domestic leagues in the Americas and has produced some of the game’s finest talents over the decades.
How they got there
Mexico qualified automatically as one of the three co-hosting nations. FIFA confirmed their berth on 14 February 2023 alongside the United States and Canada.
With no qualification campaign required, coach Javier Aguirre used the preparation period wisely – winning back-to-back CONCACAF Gold Cups in 2023 and 2025 and the 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League.
Pre-tournament friendlies against Portugal, Belgium and Australia further sharpened his squad ahead of the opening fixture.
Best ever World Cup finish
Mexico’s finest World Cup performances have both come on home soil. They reached the quarter-finals in 1970 and again in 1986 – both times falling just short of the semi-finals.
In the modern era, between 1994 and 2018, they reached the Round of 16 in eight consecutive tournaments without ever advancing further – a run of near-misses that has become one of football’s most discussed statistical curiosities.
Iconic moments
Few moments in Mexican football history match Hugo Sanchez’s acrobatic bicycle kick against Belgium in 1986 – one of the finest goals ever scored at a World Cup.
Manuel Negrete’s volley against Bulgaria in the same tournament is equally celebrated. More recently, Guillermo Ochoa’s extraordinary save to deny Brazil’s Neymar at the 2014 World Cup in Rio became one of the defining images of that tournament and made the goalkeeper a global star overnight.
Players to watch
Santiago Gimenez (AC Milan) – Mexico’s most potent attacking weapon. The 24-year-old striker has been one of the most clinical finishers in European football over the past two seasons. He scored the winner in both the 2023 and 2025 Gold Cup finals.
Raul Jimenez (Fulham) – The veteran striker arrives at his home World Cup after a double-figures scoring season in the Premier League. At 34 he is the most experienced attacker in the squad.
Edson Alvarez (Fenerbahce) – The captain and heartbeat of the team. A combative and technically gifted defensive midfielder who provides the platform for Mexico’s attacking players to express themselves.
Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol) – The 40-year-old goalkeeper makes a record sixth World Cup appearance after first-choice Luis Malagon suffered a torn ACL. His experience and shot-stopping ability remain invaluable.
Fixtures
11 Jun: Mexico vs South Africa – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City – 22:00 SAST
18 Jun: Mexico vs South Korea – Estadio Akron, Guadalajara – 04:00 SAST
24 Jun: Czech Republic vs Mexico – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City – 04:00 SAST
Photo: Luiza Moraes/Getty Images
