Fifa World Cup 2026: What you need to know about Mexico

Get the lowdown on every team at the 2026 World Cup. Here we take a closer look at Mexico.

What can I expect from Mexico?

Mexico were quarter-finalists on the two previous occasions they were World Cup hosts, but repeating that feat could be a tall order.

This is by no means a vintage Mexican side, with relatively few players based in Europe's top five leagues and the team's biggest name, Raul Jimenez, in the twilight of his career.

There has also been some negativity around El Tri's style of play, with some fans even booing them in goalless draws against Uruguay and Portugal.

But the atmosphere at a home World Cup should be more upbeat and if Javier Aguirre's side can win the tournament opener against South Africa, momentum could quickly build.

Aguirre usually demands an aggressive high press from his players, and often fields a narrow front three, with full-backs pushing forward to provide the width.

What are Mexico's strengths?

The co-hosts have been handed a kind draw, have home advantage and should also benefit from playing all three group games at altitude, where the thinner air can sap opponents' energy.

They work tirelessly to regain possession quickly and underlined their defensive solidity in March's draws with Portugal and Belgium. Johan Vasquez and Cesar Montes complement each other effectively at centre-back, making Mexico a tough nut to crack.

And what about their weaknesses?

El Tri have often struggled to find attacking fluency under Aguirre and if they do toil this summer, supporters may quickly get edgy.

The squad appears a little light on specialist centre-backs, while goalkeeper Luis Angel Malagon – who was expected to be the number one – was ruled out in March with a torn Achilles tendon.

How might Mexico line up?

Which players should I look out for?

Raul Jimenez, 35, usually delivers when Mexico need him most – just as he did in last year's Gold Cup final against the USA, when he equalised in a 2-1 win. While the Fulham striker has failed to score at the past three World Cups, his six appearances have all been as a substitute, and a bigger role awaits this summer.

Mexico are short on star power so hopes are high that Tijuana's creative midfielder Gilberto Mora can develop into the talisman they are searching for. If the 17-year-old features in the opening game - most likely off the bench - he will become the sixth youngest player in men's World Cup history.

El Tri are the tournament's fourth smallest team but Cesar Montes, 29, is a dominant presence in both boxes. The 6ft 3in tall centre-back, who scored three times at last year's Gold Cup, joined Lokomotiv Moscow in 2024 after an unsuccessful 18-month stint in Spanish football.

Who is Mexico's head coach?

Javier Aguirre, 67, has restored competitiveness and team harmony in his third spell in charge, though not all fans enjoy his pragmatic style.

A former midfielder who played for Mexico at the 1986 World Cup, he was also the coach when they reached the last 16 in 2002 and 2010.

Assistant Rafa Marquez - the only man to captain a country at five World Cups - will succeed him after this tournament.

How did Mexico qualify?

Automatically as co-hosts.

Where can I watch Mexico?

All of Mexico's matches will also be covered live on the BBC Sport website and app with updates, analysis, and fan reaction. Come and be part of it!

Give me a fact to impress my friends

Mexico City is sinking by up to 40cm a year. That is because it was built on the soft clay bed of an ancient lake - once the site of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan - which was drained after the Spanish conquest.

Now give me some proper detail

If there were such a thing as a mid-table team at the World Cup, it would probably be Mexico. They are almost ever-present, yet no side has played as many matches at the tournament - 60 in total - without lifting the trophy.

Their supporters can be demanding but expectations are more modest this summer. If the co-hosts can end a 40-year wait for a knockout win, that would constitute success.

The failure to reach an elusive fifth game – the curse of the 'quinto partido' – has plagued Mexico for generations. El Tri went out in the round of 16 at seven consecutive World Cups between 1994 and 2018, before ending that sequence in the worst possible way in Qatar, where they exited at the group stage.

Since then, Mexico have hired and fired two coaches before bringing back the vastly experienced Javier Aguirre for a third spell in charge in 2024.

No stone has been left unturned in his preparations. El Tri have played 22 matches over the past year, giving Aguirre ample scope to experiment with tactics and personnel. He has used 54 players in that time, fewer than half of whom made the final squad.

Those who did should be well drilled by now, especially the 12 domestic-based players. Most were told to report for training on 6 May, meaning some squad members will have been in camp for five weeks by the start of the World Cup.

How have Mexico done at previous World Cups?

This is their ninth consecutive appearance and a record third as hosts or co-hosts. They reached the quarter-finals on each of the previous two occasions, in 1970 and 1986.