Mexico National Team at the 2026 Soccer World Championship: Roster, Predictions, and Statistics
Mexico is set to become the first country to host three World Cup tournaments. The Tricolores are one of the most consistent participants in the tournament - the Mexican national team is preparing for their 18th campaign in the World Cup.
The last time Mexico hosted the World Cup was in 1986, when they reached the quarterfinals, repeating their best result previously achieved at the home tournament in 1970. Home support played a key role on both occasions, and it is expected that Mexican fans will once again be a crucial factor for success.
Under the guidance of Javier Aguirre, a veteran coaching staff member and a participant in the 1986 World Cup as a player, the Mexican team will aim to go further than ever before and break the historical quarterfinal barrier.
In short:
- Mexico will host the World Cup for the third time in history. However, unlike the 1970 and 1986 tournaments, the country will not be the sole host - the 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted with the USA and Canada.
- Best achievement at the World Cup: Quarterfinals (1970, 1986)
- At the moment, bookmakers estimate the chances of the Mexican team winning the World Cup at approximately 1-1.3%. Most lines give odds around 80.00-81.00.
- In the group stage of the World Cup, Mexico will play against South Africa, South Korea, and the Czech Republic.
Mexico Squad
Goalkeepers: Alex Padilla (Athletic Bilbao), Antonio Rodriguez (Tijuana), Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna), Carlos Moreno (Pachuca), Guillermo Ochoa (AEL), Raul Ranhel (Chivas).
Defenders: Bryan Gonzalez (Chivas), Cesar Montes (Lokomotiv), Edson Alvarez (Fenerbahce), Eduardo Agila (Atletico San Luis), Everardo Lopez (Toluca), Israel Reyes (America), Jesus Angulo (Tigres), Jesus Gallardo (Toluca), Jesus Gomez (Tijuana), Joan Vasquez (Genoa), Jorge Sanchez (PAOK), Julian Araujo (Celtic), Luis Rey (Puebla), Mateo Chavez (AZ Alkmaar), Ramon Juarez (America), Richard Ledesma (Chivas), Victor Guzman (Monterrey).
Midfielders: Alexey Dominguez (Pachuca), Alexis Gutierrez (America), Alvaro Fidalgo (Betis), Bryan Gutierrez (Chivas), Carlos Rodriguez (Cruz Azul), Densel Garcia (Juarez), Diego Lainez (Tigres), Efrain Alvarez (Chivas), Elias Montiel (Pachuca), Eric Sanchez (America), Eric Lira (Cruz Azul), Hilberto Mora (Tijuana), Isaias Violante (America), Jeremi Marquez (Cruz Azul), Jordan Carrillo (Pumas), Jorge Ruvalcaba (New York Red Bulls), Kevin Castaneda (Tijuana), LuisChaves (Dynamo Moscow), Luis Romo (Chivas), Marcel Ruiz (Toluca), Obed Vargas (Atletico Madrid), Orbelin Pineda (AEK), Jesus Angulo (Toluca).
Forwards: Alexis Vega (Toluca), Armando Gonzalez (Chivas), Cesar Huerta (Anderlecht), Herman Berterame (Inter Miami), Guillermo Martinez (Pumas), Julian Quinones (Al-Kadisiyah), Raul Jimenez (Fulham), Roberto Alvarado (Chivas), Santiago Jimenez (Milan).
Head coach: Javier Aguirre
Main Star
The main star of the team, despite his age, remains Guillermo Ochoa. The 40-year-old goalkeeper has been named in five World Cup squads (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022), making his debut in the tournament in 2014. His spectacular saves, despite his not-so-tall stature (183 cm), have made him a cult figure in world football. In the upcoming tournament, Ochoa is unlikely to be the main goalkeeper, but his experience could be a crucial factor in the dressing room.
Main Problem of Mexico
The main problem for the Mexican national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup is the psychological ceiling and lack of competition at the top level. The current generation lacks squad depth comparable to the leading national teams in the world. Mexico has been unable to get past the round of 16 at the World Cup for over 30 years. From 1994 to 2018, the team consistently advanced from the group stage, but each time lost in the first playoff match. This has become a persistent psychological barrier for the entire Mexican football system.
Young Talent
One of the most promising players is midfielder Gilberto Mora from Tijuana. He made his debut for the national team on June 28, 2025, in a match against Saudi Arabia at the age of 16. The player stands out for his ability to read the game, find space between the lines, escape pressure, and deliver accurate passes in the final third. He also demonstrates maturity, creativity, and confidence in one-on-one situations. In the experienced Mexican squad, he can add freshness and variability to the attack. This season, Mora has played 20 matches for Tijuana, scoring 6 goals and providing 1 assist.
Who Will Miss the 2026 World Cup
The main candidate for the role of the first-choice goalkeeper, Luis Angel Malagon, is out due to a severe Achilles tendon injury. Also, right-back Rodrigo Uescas, one of the most promising young players, will miss the tournament due to knee problems.
Mexico's Form
Qualification
Mexico automatically qualified for the World Cup as a co-host country along with the USA and Canada. The 2026 World Cup will be the first tournament featuring 48 teams.
Recent Results
In 2026, Mexico played six friendly matches and did not suffer a single defeat. The team beat Panama (1:0), Bolivia (1:0), and Iceland (4:0), then drew with Portugal (0:0) and Belgium (1:1), and in mid-Maydefeated Ghana (2:0). In 2025, the team won the CONCACAF Gold Cup, beating the USA in the final with a score of 2:1.
Preparation for the World Cup
As part of the final stage of preparation, Mexico will play a friendly match against Australia at the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena (USA) on May 31. The team will play a second control match at home against Serbia at the Nemesio Díez stadium in Toluca on June 5.
Mexico's match schedule for the 2026 World Cup
Date (start time of the match - Moscow time) | Opponent | Stadium | Odds for victory |
June 11, 22:00 | Azteca (Mexico City, Mexico) | 1.5* | |
June 19, 04:00 | Akron (Zapopan, Mexico) | 1.84* | |
June 25, 04:00 | Azteca (Mexico City, Mexico) | 2* |
Mexico's chances of advancing from the group
Mexico's chances of advancing from Group A are estimated by bookmakers at 86-88%. According to current quotes, Mexico is considered a clear favorite of its group thanks to the home advantage, a convenient schedule, and a relatively passable quartet composition. Meanwhile, the probability of winning the group is about 48-52%.
Bookmakers' odds for Mexico at the 2026 World Cup
Bet | Odds |
Advance from the group | 1.20 |
Take 1st place in the group | 2.00 |
Not take 1st place in the group | 1.85 |
Not advance from the group | 7.70 |
Will win the World Cup | 81.00 |
Will not win the World Cup | 1.01 |
Will reach the final | 23.50 |
Will not reach the final | 1.08 |
Will reach the semi-finals | 17.00 |
Will not reach the semi-finals | 1.08 |
Santiago Jimenez will be the top scorer | 66.00 |
Raul Jimenez will be the top scorer | 150.00 |
Scores24's prediction for the Mexican team
The Mexican team is approaching the home World Cup as one of the most dangerous second-tier teams. The factor of their own stands, matches at the Azteca stadium, and a relatively comfortable group make the team an extremely inconvenient opponent from the first rounds.
The main bet is on intensity, pressure, and the form of Santiago Jimenez, who should approach the start of the tournament as one of the attack leaders. The most realistic scenario is to get out of the group from the first place and pass at least one playoff round. The odds for Mexico's victory in Group A are 2.00*. We will try to play it. An additional option is a victory over South Africa for 1.50*, and a risky one - reaching the quarterfinals for 6.50*, as the Mexicans have managed to reach this level in the two previous home tournaments.
More predictions for all games of the 2026 World Cup will be available in the tournament section from June 9.
*Odds are approximate, may vary in different bookmaker's offices and are current at the time of publication
FAQ
Who is the coach of the Mexican national football team?
Javier Aguirre returned to the coaching bench of the Mexican national team in July last year, replacing Jaime Lozano in this position. This is the third time Aguirre has led the national team. He was first with the team at the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, where the Mexicans were eliminated in the round of 16. Then he was once again in the spotlight at the 2010 World Cup, where his charges suffered a defeat from the Argentine team at the same stage.
Who is the captain of the Mexican national football team?
The current captain of the Mexican national team is Edson Alvarez. The defensive midfielder is one of the key players of the team and the leader in the center of the field.
How many times has Mexico won the World Cup?
Mexico has never won the World Cup. Mexico's best result in the World Cup is the quarterfinals (1970, 1986). Both tournaments were hosted at home.
Who is the top scorer for the Mexican national football team?
Javier Hernandez Balcazar, also known as Chicharito, is the top scorer in the history of the Mexican national team. In 109 games, he scored 52 goals. The Guadalajara native will be working as an analyst for Fox Sports during the tournament.
Who will the Mexican national team play against in the 2026 World Cup?
The "tricolours" will face the teams from South Africa, South Korea, and the Czech Republic in the group stage of the World Championship.
What are the odds for the Mexican national team to win the 2026 World Cup?
Bookmakers are offering odds of around 81.00 for a Mexican victory.
