MEXICO

Mexico is a co-host of the 2026 World Cup and the team opening the tournament on June 11 against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. At the 2026 World Cup, Mexico plays in Group A against South Africa, South Korea, and the Czech Republic. Head coach Javier Aguirre is in his third stint with the national team (since July 2024); after the tournament he will be replaced by Rafael Márquez. The leaders: Edson Álvarez (captain), Santiago Giménez, Raúl Jiménez.

The Estadio Azteca is the only stadium in the world to have hosted two World Cup finals (1970 and 1986). In 1970 in Mexico City, Pelé's Brazil won a third title beating Italy 4:1; in 1986, Maradona's Argentina won a second trophy against West Germany 3:2. The Mexican national team itself has never advanced past the quarterfinal: "el quinto partido" (the fifth match, meaning the semifinal) has been a national obsession since the 1970s. The best results were home quarterfinals in 1970 and 1986. At the last seven World Cups, Mexico consistently reached the round of 16 — and consistently lost it.

The 2026 World Cup is Mexico's third — a record for a single country, after 1970 and 1986. The team plays two matches in Mexico City (the opener on June 11 and the group finale) — all tickets at the Azteca sold out within minutes. The main rival in Group A is South Korea. After the group, the bracket could lead to Argentina or France in the playoffs — "el quinto partido" becomes possible for the first time in 40 years.

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