FIFA World Cup 2026 Team Profile: Mexico

Backed by history, talent and home support, Mexico enters the FIFA World Cup 2026 determined to leave its mark on the tournament.

MIAMI – The FIFA World Cup 2026 begins on June 11, with Mexico set to make history as the first nation to host the tournament three times.

Ahead of the tournament, we take a closer look at Mexico’s World Cup history, key players and storylines.

World Cup History and Records

FIFA World Cup appearances: 18 (1930, 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1978, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)

WC Record: P60 W17 D15 L28 GF62 GA101

Best WC Performance: Quarter-final (1970, 1986)

Most WC Apps: Rafael Márquez (19)

Most WC Goals: Javier Hernández, Luis Hernández (4)

Most WC Assists (since 1966): 7 players (2)

How They Qualified

Mexico, alongside Canada and the United States, qualified to the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the tournament’s three hosts. Mexico previously hosted the 1970 and 1986 editions.

Group and Schedule

Mexico is in Group A alongside South Africa, Korea Republic and Czechia.

The schedule of its three Group Stage matches is as follows:

• South Africa (Mexico City Stadium) — June 11, 3:00 p.m. ET
• Korea Republic (Guadalajara Stadium) — June 18, 9:00 p.m. ET
• Czechia (Mexico City Stadium) — June 24, 9:00 p.m. ET

Recent Results and Friendlies

Mexico enters the World Cup on the back of three consecutive victories. Javier Aguirre’s side was victorious against two qualified teams in Ghana and Australia, and closed its World Cup preparation with a 5-1 victory over Serbia.

Head Coach Profile

Javier Aguirre returns for his third FIFA World Cup as Mexico head coach. “El Vasco” previously led Mexico at the 2002 and 2010 editions, both ending in Round of 16 exits, and guided the team to Concacaf Nations League and Gold Cup titles in 2025.

The Mexico City native also represented his nation on the field during the 1986 edition, the last time Mexico hosted a World Cup.

Among head coaches at the 2026 tournament, only Didier Deschamps will have managed at more World Cups for the same national team.

Key Players

• Raúl Jiménez – Proven goalscorer and 2025 Concacaf Nations League Finals top scorer.
• Edson Álvarez – Midfield leader and 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup Best Player.
• Guillermo Ochoa – Veteran goalkeeper set to appear at his sixth World Cup.

Game Changer

Alexis Vega enters the tournament in strong form after helping Toluca to consecutive Liga MX titles (Clausura 2025, Apertura 2025) and the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. His creativity, pace, attacking versatility and composure from the penalty spot make him a key weapon for Mexico.

Rising Star

Gilberto Mora, 17, is one of Mexico’s brightest young talents. After helping Mexico win the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, he enters his first World Cup as the tournament’s youngest player.

Opta statistical snapshot

• Mexico holds the record for the most FIFA World Cup matches without winning the title, having contested 60 games without lifting the trophy.
• Mexico is unbeaten in its last seven FIFA World Cup openers, with five wins and two draws. The nation’s last defeat in an opening match came in 1994, losing 1-0 to Norway.
• Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca will host five matches, including the tournament opener, and remains the only stadium to have staged two FIFA World Cup finals (1970 and 1986).
• Centre-back César Montes (3) led Mexico in scoring at the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, all of which were from corners, while recording the second-most interceptions (10) and the second-best aerial duel win percentage among players at the tournament.
• Among the three hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mexico has the highest chance of winning the tournament (1.7%), ahead of the United States (1.2%) and Canada (0.8%).

Historic storyline entering the tournament

Mexico will look to capitalize on home advantage and reach new heights on the world stage. Its best World Cup performances came in 1970 and 1986, the two previous occasions it hosted the tournament, reaching the quarterfinals both times. With the tournament returning to Mexican soil, Mexico will aim to match or surpass those historic runs.

The 2026 edition marks Mexico’s 18th FIFA World Cup appearance and ninth consecutive qualification. After seeing a streak of seven straight trips to the knockout stage end with a Group Stage exit at Qatar 2022, Mexico enters the tournament determined to reestablish itself among the world’s top contenders.