Mexico World Cup 2026 Preview: Best Players, Roster, History

Mexico will now have hosted World Cup matches on three occasions. The previous two times? It reached the quarterfinals.

It would be disastrous to not do so this time around, especially considering the home-field advantage El Tri will have. Mexico held its own at home in a March friendly against Portugal, settling for a scoreless draw before another stalemate with Belgium in Chicago.

The co-host will lean on veteran Fulham striker Raul Jimenez, but it remains to be seen if the team brings young midfielders Gilberto Mora and Obed Vargas. But could an unprecedented sixth World Cup appearance be in the cards for keeper Guillermo Ochoa

Here’s what you need to know about Mexico: 

How they Qualified: 

Just like fellow co-hosts Canada and the U.S., Mexico automatically qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The country now becomes the first country in World Cup history to have games on home soil, having first hosted in 1970 and then in 1986. The latter of those two editions came after FIFA withdrew hosting duties from Colombia. 

World Cup Group Stage Schedule:

• June 11: Mexico vs. South Africa – Mexico City Stadium (3 p.m. ET)
• June 18: Mexico vs. South Korea – Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico (9 p.m. ET)
• June 24: Mexico vs. UEFA playoff winner D (Czechia, Republic of Ireland, Denmark, North Macedonia) — Mexico City Stadium (9 p.m. ET)

Previous World Cup appearances: 

• 1930, 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970 (hosts), 1978, 1986 (hosts), 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022

What is Mexico’s Best Finish in the World Cup?

• 1970 and 1986 — Quarterfinals

Who’ll be Mexico’s player to watch?

Raul Jiménez is part of Mexico’s veteran core. He scored nine of El Tri’s 22 goals in 2025, including a brace in both the Nations League semifinal and final. Jimenez also netted the winning goal in the Gold Cup semifinal and added another in the win over the U.S. in the tournament final. Jimenez, who has already played in three World Cups, has also scored nine goals for Fulham across all competitions this season and is in ideal form entering an important summer with a World Cup on home soil.

Who is Mexico’s Manager for the World Cup?

For 2026, Mexico will be leaning on a familiar face in Javier “El Vasco” Aguirre. A seasoned Mexican coach, Aguirre is currently in his third stint as manager of the national team. He first led Mexico at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups, guiding them to the round of 16 both times. Aguirre also won the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2009, and most recently became the first manager in Mexico’s history to win two Gold Cups, after triumph in 2025. Over his tenure with El Tri across all spells, he has the most wins ever by a Mexico coach, surpassing Ricardo La Volpe. His steady leadership and international experience – having coached in Spain, Japan, and Egypt – have made him a cornerstone of Mexican football.

Mexico’s All-Time Leading Scorer: 

• Javier “Chicharito” Hernández: 52 goals
• Played for Guadalajara, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, West Ham United, Sevilla, LA Galaxy

Mexico’s All-Time Caps Leader:

• Andrés Guardado: 180 caps
• Played for Atlas, Deportivo La Coruña, Valencia, Bayer Leverkusen, PSV, Betis, León

Mexico’s Team Nickname: 

About the Country: 

• Population: approximately 132 million
• Capital: Mexico City

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