Hosts, history-makers, and eternal contenders: Mexico enters its home World Cup dreaming of a breakthrough run
MEXICO 🇲🇽
FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group A
The Big Picture
Mexico enters the 2026 FIFA World Cup carrying enormous expectations as co-hosts of the tournament alongside the United States and Canada. El Tri will become the first nation ever to host three different World Cups, after previously staging the competition in 1970 and 1986.
With passionate home support, historic experience, and veteran coach Javier Aguirre back on the touchline, Mexico hopes to finally reach beyond the quarter-finals and challenge the world’s elite on home soil.
Coach
Javier Aguirre returned as Mexico head coach in 2024 for his third spell in charge of the national team. A respected figure in Mexican football, Aguirre previously led El Tri at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups.
Working alongside legendary former captain Rafael Márquez as assistant coach, Aguirre has focused on rebuilding identity, pride, and competitive intensity within the squad ahead of the home tournament.
Group A Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 11 | Mexico vs South Africa | Mexico City Stadium |
| June 18 | Mexico vs South Korea | Estadio Guadalajara |
| June 24 | Czech Republic vs Mexico | Mexico City Stadium |
World Cup History
- Confederation: Concacaf
- World Cup appearances: 18
- Best result: Quarter-finals (1970, 1986)
- Last appearance: Qatar 2022 – Group Stage
- First appearance: Uruguay 1930
- Best qualification streak: 9 consecutive World Cups
Legendary Players
Rafael Márquez remains Mexico’s all-time World Cup appearance leader with 19 matches played across five tournaments.
Javier “Chicharito” Hernández and Luis Hernández share the record for most World Cup goals scored by a Mexican player, with four each.
Iconic World Cup Moments
Mexico’s greatest World Cup memories came on home soil. In 1986, El Tri reached the quarter-finals after defeating Bulgaria in the Round of 16 with Manuel Negrete scoring one of the most iconic goals in tournament history — an unforgettable bicycle kick.
Another unforgettable moment came in France 1998, when Luis Hernández scored a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer against the Netherlands to send Mexico into the knockout stage.
2026 Expectations
Playing at home, backed by massive crowds, Mexico believes this could finally be the tournament where El Tri breaks through and reaches new heights on football’s biggest stage.
MEXICO
Goalkeepers
- #1 Raul Rangel (CD Guadalajara, Mexico)
- #12 Carlos Acevedo (Club Santos Laguna, Mexico)
- #13 Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol, Cyprus)
Defenders
- #2 Jorge Sanchez (PAOK, Greece)
- #3 Cesar Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia)
- #4 Edson Alvarez (Fenerbahçe, Turkey)
- #5 Johan Vasquez (Genoa, Italy)
- #15 Israel Reyes (Club América, Mexico)
- #20 Mateo Chavez (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands)
- #23 Jesus Gallardo (Deportivo Toluca, Mexico)
Midfielders
- #6 Erik Lira (Cruz Azul, Mexico)
- #7 Luis Romo (CD Guadalajara, Mexico)
- #8 Alvaro Fidalgo (Real Betis, Spain)
- #17 Orbelin Pineda (AEK Athens, Greece)
- #18 Obed Vargas (Atlético de Madrid, Spain)
- #19 Gilberto Mora (Club Tijuana, Mexico)
- #21 Cesar Huerta (RSC Anderlecht, Belgium)
- #24 Luis Chavez (Dynamo Moscow, Russia)
- #26 Brian Gutierrez (CD Guadalajara, Mexico)
Forwards
- #9 Raul Jimenez (Fulham, England)
- #10 Alexis Vega (Deportivo Toluca, Mexico)
- #11 Santiago Gimenez (AC Milan, Italy)
- #14 Armando Gonzalez (CD Guadalajara, Mexico)
- #16 Julian Quinones (Al Qadsiah, Saudi Arabia)
- #22 Guillermo Martinez (Pumas UNAM, Mexico)
- #25 Roberto Alvarado (CD Guadalajara, Mexico)
Head Coach
- Javier Aguirre (Mexico)
