Number of past World Cup appearances: 17
Best result: Quarterfinals (1970, 1986)
First appearance: 1930 (Uruguay)
Top scorers: Luis Hernandez, Javier Hernandez (4)
Most games played: Rafael Marquez (19)
Player to watch: Raul Jimenez
FIFA World Ranking: 14th place
Mexicans call their failure to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup the “curse of El Quinto Partido.”
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El Tri (short for tricolor) lost in the last 16 of seven consecutive World Cups from 1994 to 2018.
Now, coach Javier “Vasco” Aguirre is optimistic that Mexico will overcome that barrier, with the team also playing at home, the only country to have hosted the World Cup three times. Aguirre told his players that home advantage was “priceless. England were champions playing at home and will never be again.”
Mexico has only reached the quarterfinals in 1970 and 1986. Aguirre was in midfield when El Tri took Germany to a penalty shootout in a controversial game in Monterrey at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Colombian referee Jesús Palacio Díaz gave Iraq’s Basil Gorgis a red card earlier in the tournament for the wrong person, but this time he sent off Germany’s Thomas Bertholdt in the 65th minute.
Mexico was unable to capitalize and Aguirre was sent off after playing 35 minutes with numerical superiority.
This will be Aguirre’s third time in charge of a World Cup. In 2002, Aguirre was accused of underestimating the United States when Mexico lost 2-0 to their great South Korean rivals. In 2010, Argentina lost 3-1 after coach Aguirre gave striker Adolfo “Bofo” Bautista his first start, but he was benched at halftime with a 2-0 lead.
In between his time with the national team, Aguirre has enjoyed success as a club coach, primarily in Spain. He returned to El Tri in 2024 and led the team to the Gold Cup and Nations League titles.
Mexico relies on a quick passing game, centered around midfielders Alvaro Fidalgo and Alexis Vega, with 17-year-olds Gilberto Mora and Olvelin Pineda in the wings. Edson “Machin” Alvarez and Luis Romo will fill the holding roles, with Luis Chavez and Eric Lira in the reserves. Mexico has Roberto “Piojo” Alvarado and Cesar “Chino” Huerta providing speed on the wings.
Johan Vazquez and Cesar Montes are the only two natural centre-backs on the team. However, coach Aguirre has changed the image by inserting Alvarez and Romo into the central defense, allowing him to make plays from the back.
Jorge Sanchez is a candidate to start at right-back and will be challenged by Club América’s Israel Reyes, who is in talks to move to AS Roma. At left-back, veteran Jesus Gallardo has an advantage over 22-year-old Mateo Chavez.
Fulham striker Raul Jimenez (35) will lead the attack. Jimenez suffered a skull fracture in a collision with Arsenal’s David Luiz in 2020 and has not been able to reproduce his previous scoring ability. However, Jimenez is a physical presence and has proven his durability in the Premier League. Jimenez ranks third on Mexico’s all-time scoring list with 44 goals. Santi Jimenez and Armando “Hormiga” Gonzalez offer other options.
In goal was Raul Rangel, replacing Luis Malagon (ruptured Achilles tendon). Guillermo Ochoa, 40, will be playing in his sixth World Cup, surpassing Antonio “Cinco Copas” Carvajal’s record of five appearances.
Naturalized players taking part in the scheme include Fidalgo, who spent five years with Club America before returning to Spain with Real Betis. Colombian-born forward Julian Quinones is a 10-year veteran of Liga MX and currently plays for Al Qadosia FC in Saudi Arabia. and U.S.-born midfielders Brian Gutierrez and Obed Vargas.
What about Mexican groups?
Mexico are favorites to win Group A, but Czech Republic and South Korea could challenge, with South Africa hoping for a surprise.
The tournament will open with Mexico and South Africa playing each other, a rematch of the 2010 opener, but history will be on El Tri’s side. El Tri has a record of 5 wins, 0 losses, and 2 draws in 7 matches played during the two World Cups held at the Estadio Azteca.
The climate, altitude and strong local support should support El Tri in Mexico City and Guadalajara, and if they advance, their next match will likely be in Los Angeles or Houston, Mexico’s home base.
Mexico group stage match dates and kick-off times:
⚽ June 11: Mexico vs. South Africa (Mexico City, Mexico), 3:00 PM ET (19:00 GMT)
⚽ June 18: Mexico vs. South Korea (Guadalajara, Mexico), 9:00 PM ET (1:00 PM Japan Time)
⚽ June 24: Czech Republic vs. Mexico (Mexico City, Mexico), 9:00 p.m. ET (1:00 p.m. ET)
Al Jazeera predictions
Quarterfinals.
If Mexico advances to the finals, they can expect strong support not only domestically but also almost everywhere in the United States.
Due to the expansion of the tournament, the fifth game will only be the round of 16, and players will need to advance to the sixth game to reach the quarterfinals.
Mexico’s World Cup team:
Goalkeepers: Raul Rangel (Guadalajara), Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol), Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna)
Defenders: Israel Reyes (USA), Jorge Sanchez (PAOK), Cesar Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Johan Vazquez (Genoa), Jesus Gallardo (Toluca), Mateo Chavez (Alkmaar)
Midfielders: Edson Alvarez (West Ham), Luis Romo (Guadalajara), Obed Vargas (Atlético Madrid), Brian Gutierrez (Guadalajara), Olvelin Pineda (A) EK Athens), Eric Lira (Cruz Azul), Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), Cesar Huerta (Anderlecht), Alvaro Fidalgo (Real Betis), Luis Chavez (Dynamo Moscow).
Forwards: Roberto Alvarado (Guadalajara), Alexis Vega (Toluca), Julian Quiñones (Al Qadizilla), Santiago Jiménez (AC Milan), Guillermo Martínez (Pumas), Armando González (Guadalajara), Raul Jiménez (Fulham).
The FIFA World Cup begins on June 11th. Check out Al Jazeera’s dedicated 2026 World Cup page for all the latest news, match progress and live text commentary, and stay up to date with group standings, real-time results and schedules.
