Mexico kicks off the 2026 FIFA World Cup at home against South Africa on June 11, 2026, as co-hosts, with high hopes of advancing beyond the Round of 16 for the first time in decades.
Why it matters: The 2026 World Cup marks a historic moment for Mexico, which will host the opening ceremony and match at the iconic Estadio Azteca. After a disappointing exit in Qatar 2022, expectations are high for El Tri.
Mexico automatically qualified for the tournament as one of the three co-hosts, alongside the United States and Canada.
El Tri's last successful World Cup run was in 1986, when they reached the quarterfinals; they aim to replicate that success this year.
The team has been preparing rigorously, with a focus on building chemistry among players before the final roster is announced.
Driving the news: Head coach Javier Aguirre announced a preliminary 55-player roster on May 12, which will be trimmed to 26 by June 1. The roster formation faced challenges due to disagreements between the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) and Liga MX clubs over player availability.
Aguirre's initial plan included a multi-week training camp, but tensions arose as club commitments clashed with national team preparations.
After negotiations, an ultimatum was issued stating that any player who did not report for training by the deadline would be excluded from the World Cup.
Both Toluca and Chivas agreed not to interfere with the FMF's agreements, allowing players to focus on representing Mexico.
State of play: Mexico enters the tournament with a solid mix of experience and youth. Key players include veteran striker Raúl Jiménez and captain Edson Álvarez, who has recently recovered from an ankle injury.
Jiménez, who scored nine goals for Fulham this past season, is expected to lead the attack, supported by rising stars like Santiago Giménez and Brian Gutiérrez.
Álvarez, a versatile midfielder, provides stability and leadership, having played a key role in recent matches.
Guillermo Ochoa, a World Cup veteran, could return for his sixth tournament, bringing invaluable experience to the squad.
The big picture: Mexico's historical performance in World Cups creates a backdrop of pressure as they aim to advance past the Round of 16 for the first time since 1986. The team’s recent form suggests they might be capable of breaking this streak.
El Tri won the CONCACAF Gold Cup and Nations League in 2025, boosting morale ahead of the World Cup.
Recent friendlies include a 2-0 victory over Ghana, a 1-1 draw with Belgium, and a 0-0 draw with Portugal, indicating a strong defensive setup.
Mexico is currently 15th in the FIFA world rankings, showing they possess the quality to compete effectively.
What they're saying: Analysts and fans express cautious optimism about Mexico's chances in Group A, which includes South Africa, South Korea, and Czechia.
Prediction markets give Mexico a 66.5% chance of winning their opening match against South Africa, with a draw at 21.2% and South Africa at 12.5%.
Experts predict that Mexico will likely finish in the Round of 16, continuing a streak of seven consecutive tournaments without advancing past that stage.
Alexi Lalas and David Mosse, analysts for FOX Sports, discuss Mexico's potential to top the group, emphasizing the importance of strong home support.
By the numbers: The odds surrounding Mexico's World Cup performance highlight their historical challenges and current expectations.
Mexico has a 66.5% chance of winning against South Africa, and an 84% chance of making it to the knockout stage.
They are favored to win Group A with a 48% chance, followed by Czechia and South Korea.
El Tri has been eliminated in the Round of 16 in seven consecutive World Cups from 1994 to 2018, and they aim to break this pattern.
What's next: As the tournament approaches, Aguirre must finalize the roster and prepare the team for their opening match.
The final roster announcement is due by June 1, just days before Mexico faces South Africa in the opening match.
Mexico's group stage matches will take place at home, providing a unique advantage in terms of fan support and familiar conditions.
Following the opener, Mexico will face South Korea on June 18 and Czechia on June 24, with the goal of securing top position in the group.