Mexico became the first nation to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup knockout stages and ended their group stage campaign with three wins and three clean sheets. Find the latest Mexico stats, route to the final and analysis here.
The first game of the group against South Africa will be remembered for the three red cards shown by referee Wilton Sampaio. Mexico were good value for their victory in that game, though.
They were able to follow up that win with another, this time against South Korea. It was a much tighter game, and one that Mexico were fortunate to emerge with three points from. They did just that though, and will feature in the Round of 32.
Mexico ended this phase in style, comfortably seeing off Czech Republic 3-0, while showcasing the depth this squad has to offer.
Below you can find the latest Mexico stats as the tournament unfolds, as well as details about their latest squad, manager info, and fixture information for the Central American nation.
Mexico World Cup 2026 route to the final
Mexico are still unsure who they will face in the Round of 32. They may have to wait until the group stages are complete on 27th June to discover their opponent.
They do, however, know when it will be. The match will take place on 1st July in Mexico City, with kick-off at 2am in the UK. They could play the third-place team from Group C, E, F, H, or I.
A win there would set up a last-16 tie on 5th July with the winner of Group L, which is likely to be England. After that, they’d be on a collision course with France potentially on the 10th July in the quarter-finals. The semi-final would then take place on 15th July before the 19th July’s final.
READ MORE: Get the latest Mexico World Cup 2026 outright odds here
Mexico World Cup stats
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.
He netted in their 2-0 opening win over South Africa, and had other opportunities to score, meaning he could be a source of a few goals during the group stages for the tournament co-hosts.
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.
Mora made history by becoming the sixth-youngest player at a World Cup with his 65th-minute substitute appearance at the age of just 17 years and 240 days old. He’s also now the youngest ever player to represent Mexico at a World Cup.
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 | 22 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 32 | 19 | 54.45 |
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.
Read more:
