On the last two occasions that Mexico hosted the World Cup they managed to reach the quarter-final stage but they have not progressed beyond the Round of 16 in any edition of the tournament since they last hosted in 1986.
This el Tri squad perhaps lacks the firepower of previous iterations – but they are well organised and have grown used to winning after being crowned Concacaf Nations League and Gold Cup winners in 2025.
Get all the latest Mexico stats as the tournament unfolds. Plus, the latest squad, manager and fixture information for the Central American side here.
Mexico route to the World Cup
As co-hosts, Mexico have not needed to qualify for this summer’s World Cup. They’ve still played plenty of competitive football since they were knocked out in Qatar four years ago though.
Javier Aguirre’s men enjoyed a success-laden 2025, winning the Concacaf Nations League by beating Panama in the Final and following that up with their 13th Gold Cup win, edging out the USA 2-1 in the final in Houston.
Since then, Mexico have played a series of friendly fixtures against Asian and South American opposition, but results have not gone their way. They’ve failed to win any of their six most recent matches and have suffered defeats to the likes of Colombia and Paraguay within that run.
Mexico World Cup 2026 fixtures
The co-hosts start the tournament with a meeting against South Africa in Mexico City on 11th June. Mexico will hope to wrap up a spot in the knockout stages when they then face South Korea on 19th June at the Akron Stadium in Guadalajara.
Finally, Mexico round off the group stages against Czech Republic on 25th June.
READ MORE: Get the latest Mexico World Cup 2026 outright odds here
Mexico key players for World Cup 2026
Mexico top World Cup Golden Boot contender: Raul Jimenez
- Key stat: Raul Jimenez scored nine times in 14 Mexico caps in 2025, including a vital equalising goal in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final vs USA.
Although he will turn 35 before the tournament begins, Raul Jimenez is clearly Mexico’s biggest goal threat. A consistent goal-getter throughout his career, the Fulham forward enjoyed his most prolific year for his nation so far in 2025. He has the kind of physical profile and instinctual movement that will make South Africa and South Korea defenders sweat in the Mexican heat this summer.
Mexico card magnets & top tacklers: Cesar Montes
- Key stat: Defender Cesar Montes has been booked in seven of his last 14 Mexico appearances.
Lokomotiv Moscow defender Cesar Montes has been a mainstay of the Mexico national team since making his debut in 2017. The 28 year old was booked twice in his three CONCACAF Nations League matches and has picked up three cards in the six friendlies Mexico have played in the latter stages of 2025. He’s won an average of 1.6 tackles per 90 minutes for Lokomotiv in the Russian Premier League this season and picked up four bookings.
Mexico rising star: Gilberto Mora
Key stat: Gilberto Mora scored three goals and assisted two in five matches at the U20 World Cup in 2025.
With five caps already before his 18th birthday, Gilberto Mora is seen as the next great hope for El Tri. A quick and highly technical player, Mora is an attacking midfielder with fantastic vision who has already racked up seven first-team goals in 44 appearances for Tijuana in Liga MX. He is Mexico’s youngest-ever debutant and could be set to announce himself to the wider footballing world this summer.
STAND-OUT STAT: Mexico have suffered more defeats in World Cup matches than any other nation having lost 28 of their 60 games.
Mexico set-piece specialists
- Penalties: Raul Jimenez
- Free kicks: Luis Chavez, Hirving Lozano
- Corners: Luis Chavez, Hirving Lozano
Mexico tactical analysis and formation
Team stats (average per game from last four matches):
- Corners: 2.5
- Shots on target: 3.5
- Shots on target conceded: 4.5
- Offsides: 0.5
Most often playing with a settled back four and a lone striker, likely to be Raul Jimenez, Mexico’s midfield configuration changes regularly. Captain Edson Alvarez is occasionally used at the base of a midfield three, but they often use two pivot midfielders and a central attacking midfielder.
The likes of Erik Lira and Erick Sanchez will hope to force their way into this eleven, while Alexis Vega is another attacking option for Javier Aguirre if Hirving Lozano or Roberto Alvarado are struggling for fitness or form.
Get the latest Mexico World Cup goals, assists, shots, passes and tackle stats here
Mexico manager analysis
Javier Aguirre will be one of the most experienced head coaches at this summer’s World Cup. The 67 year old has been in management since 1995 and is currently in his third spell in charge of his own national side having led them at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups.
A pragmatist first and foremost, Aguirre’s teams are always compact and hard-working and that will make Mexico difficult to beat at this summer’s World Cup and his side displayed a winning mentality in 2025 by lifting both the CONCACAF Nations League and the Gold Cup.
The stats below are from his current spell in charge of the team.
| Coach | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Javier Aguirre | Mexico | 21 | 11 | 6 | 4 | 30 | 19 | 52.38 |
Mexico World Cup FAQs
Have Mexico ever won the World Cup?
No, Mexico have never won the World Cup. They have twice reached the Quarter-final stage, in 1970 and 1986 when they were hosts on both occasions. Could history repeat itself this summer?
Where did Mexico finish in the last World Cup?
Mexico can count themselves slightly unfortunate to have been knocked out in the group stages at the last World Cup. El Tri picked up four points but finished behind Poland on goal difference after a late consolation goal from Saudi Arabia in their final group game.
Who will be Mexico captain at the World Cup?
Edson Alvarez, currently on loan at Fenerbahce from West Ham United, is the current Mexico captain. The 28 year old defensive midfielder has racked up 95 caps for his country since making his debut in 2017.
Who is Mexico’s all-time top goalscorer at World Cups?
Javier Hernandez, with 52 goals, is Mexico’s all-time top goalscorer in all matches. His namesake Luis Hernandez is the nation’s highest-scoring player in World Cups however with four – all four coming at the 1998 World Cup in France.
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