Mexico World Cup 2026 preview: Players to watch, group matches and squad

El Tri lost in the last 16 in seven consecutive World Cups but have higher hopes for the 2026 tournament.

Previous World Cup appearances: 17 Best performance: Quarterfinals (1970, 1986) First appearance: 1930 (Uruguay) Top goal scorers: Luis Hernandez, Javier Hernandez (4) Most appearances: Rafael Marquez (19) Player to watch: Raul Jimenez FIFA world ranking: 14

Mexicans call their inability to reach the World Cup quarterfinals the Curse of El Quinto Partido (The Fifth Game).

El Tri – short for the Tricolour – lost in the last 16 in seven consecutive World Cups, from 1994-2018.

Now, coach Javier “Vasco” Aguirre is optimistic about surpassing the barrier, partly because Mexico will be playing at home, the only country to play host to three World Cups. Aguirre has told his players home advantage “is priceless – England was champion playing at home, and never again”.

Mexico’s only quarterfinals appearances were when they hosted in 1970 and 1986. Aguirre was in the midfield as El Tri took Germany to penalties in a controversial match in Monterrey at Mexico ’86. Colombian referee Jesus Palacio Diaz, who had earlier in the tournament red-carded Iraq’s Basil Gorgis in a case of mistaken identity, this time ejected Germany’s Thomas Berthold in the 65th minute.

Mexico could not capitalise, playing 35 minutes with a numerical advantage before Aguirre was sent off.

This will be Aguirre’s third World Cup in charge. In 2002, Aguirre was accused of underestimating the United States as Mexico lost 2-0 to their great rivals in South Korea. In 2010, they fell to Argentina 3-1 as Aguirre gave striker Adolfo “Bofo” Bautista his first start, then benched him while they trailed 2-0 at halftime.

In between national team stints, Aguirre has had a successful club coaching career, mostly in Spain. He returned to El Tri in 2024, guiding the team to Gold Cup and Nations League titles.

Mexico rely on a quick passing game, playing through midfielders Alvaro Fidalgo and Alexis Vega, with 17-year-old Gilberto Mora and Orbelin Pineda backups. Edson “Machin” Alvarez and Luis Romo occupy holding roles, with Luis Chavez and Erik Lira in reserve. Mexico has speed on the wings with Roberto “Piojo” Alvarado and Cesar “Chino” Huerta.

Johan Vasquez and Cesar Montes are the only two natural centre backs in the squad. But Aguirre has been changing the look to get playmaking out of the back by dropping Alvarez or Romo into central defence.

Jorge Sanchez is the probable starter at right back, challenged by Club America’s Israel Reyes, who has been negotiating for a move to AS Roma. At l