Mexico 2026 World Cup Preview - Can El Tri Capitalise on Home Advantage?
Excitement is mounting in Mexico as it co-hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1986. Mexico automatically qualifies and boasts a blend of youth and experience with rising talents such as Gilberto Mora and veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, led by seasoned coach Javier Aguirre. Key players like Johan Vasquez and Edson Alvarez anchor the team. Bookmakers rate Mexico as favorites to top Group A, but their odds of making a deep run remain long, with a likely exit in the Round of 16 against stronger opposition such as England or Croatia.
- 2026 co-hosts Mexico have reached two quarter-finals on home soil
- El Tri are favoured to top Group A ahead of Czechia and South Korea
- Javier Aguirre leads a squad including veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa
Expectation is high in Mexico as the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches. For the first time since 1986, the world’s biggest stage returns to Mexican soil.
- World Cup History
- The Path to 2026 - Automatic Qualification
- The Manager - Javier Aguirre
- The Squad - Youth Meets Experience
- Players to Watch
- Group A Schedule and the Path to the Final
- 2026 World Cup Winner Odds - Mexico Long Shots
- Group A Winner Odds
- To Reach the Quarter-Finals Odds
- Stage of Elimination Odds
- Top Team Goalscorer Odds
El Tri suffered a disappointing group stage exit at Qatar 2022, but home advantage could play an important role as they attempt to reach a third quarter-final.
World Cup History
| Year | Host | Round |
|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Uruguay | Group Stage |
| 1950 | Brazil | Group Stage |
| 1954 | Switzerland | Group Stage |
| 1958 | Sweden | Group Stage |
| 1962 | Chile | Group Stage |
| 1966 | England | Group Stage |
| 1970 | Mexico | Quarter-finals |
| 1978 | Argentina | Group Stage |
| 1986 | Mexico | Quarter-finals |
| 1994 | USA | Round of 16 |
| 1998 | France | Round of 16 |
| 2002 | Korea/Japan | Round of 16 |
| 2006 | Germany | Round of 16 |
| 2010 | South Africa | Round of 16 |
| 2014 | Brazil | Round of 16 |
| 2018 | Russia | Round of 16 |
| 2022 | Qatar | Group Stage |
The Path to 2026 - Automatic Qualification
Mexico were spared a qualifying cycle as co hosts. automatically qualifying for the 2026 tournament. They have competed in friendlies since winning the 2025 Gold Cup in July.
El Tri were unable to win in six games against Asian and South American opponents but have fared better in 2026. They have conceded one goal in seven games, including draws against European heavyweights Portugal and Belgium.
Johan Vasquez scored in a 1-0 victory over Australia in Pasadena on 30 May. Mexico's second friendly before the World Cup will come against Serbia in Toluca, the match to be played on 4 June.
The Manager - Javier Aguirre
The man tasked with leading this mission is the veteran manager Javier Aguirre. Having taken the reigns for his third stint with the national team, Aguirre brings much-needed discipline and grit.
Aguirre previously led Mexico in the 2002 and 2010 World Cups, reaching the Round of 16 both times.
The Squad - Youth Meets Experience
While stars like 17-year-old Gilberto Mora provide youthful energy, 40-year-old goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa has been included in the final squad.
Carlos Rodriguez, Erick Sanchez and Diego Lainez were left out alongside Hirving Lozano who hasn’t played a competitive match since November.
Raul Jimenez has scored 44 goals in 123 appearances for Mexico and could lead the line ahead of Armando Gonzalez and Santiago Gimenez.
| Pos | Player | Age | Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Guillermo Ochoa | 40 | 151 | 0 | AEL Limassol |
| GK | Raul Rangel | 26 | 11 | 0 | Guadalajara |
| GK | Carlos Acevedo | 30 | 6 | 0 | Santos Laguna |
| DF | Jesus Gallardo | 31 | 118 | 3 | Toluca |
| DF | Cesar Montes | 29 | 65 | 4 | Lokomotiv Moscow |
| DF | Jorge Sanchez | 28 | 56 | 3 | PAOK |
| DF | Johan Vasquez | 27 | 44 | 1 | Genoa |
| DF | Israel Reyes | 25 | 31 | 2 | America |
| DF | Mateo Chavez | 22 | 7 | 0 | AZ |
| MF | Edson Alvarez | 28 | 95 | 7 | Fenerbahce |
| MF | Orbelin Pineda | 30 | 90 | 12 | AEK Athens |
| MF | Roberto Alvarado | 27 | 65 | 5 | Guadalajara |
| MF | Luis Romo | 31 | 60 | 4 | Guadalajara |
| MF | Luis Chavez | 30 | 42 | 4 | Dynamo Moscow |
| MF | Erik Lira | 26 | 22 | 0 | Cruz Azul |
| MF | Gilberto Mora | 17 | 5 | 0 | Tijuana |
| MF | Brian Gutierrez | 22 | 5 | 1 | Guadalajara |
| MF | Obed Vargas | 20 | 5 | 0 | Atletico Madrid |
| MF | Alvaro Fidalgo | 29 | 2 | 0 | Betis |
| FW | Raul Jimenez | 35 | 123 | 44 | Fulham |
| FW | Alexis Vega | 28 | 49 | 7 | Toluca |
| FW | Santiago Gimenez | 25 | 46 | 6 | Milan |
| FW | Cesar Huerta | 25 | 25 | 3 | Anderlecht |
| FW | Julian Quinones | 29 | 20 | 2 | Al-Qadsiah |
| FW | Guillermo Martinez | 31 | 9 | 2 | UNAM |
| FW | Armando Gonzalez | 23 | 6 | 1 | Guadalajara |
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1) Guillermo Ochoa; Jorge Sanchez, Edson Alvarez, Johan Vasquez, Jesus Gallardo; Luis Chavez, Alvaro Fidalgo; Orbelin Pineda, Luis Romo, Alexis Vega; Raul Jimenez
Players to Watch
- Johan Vasquez: The rock at the back. His experience in Serie A has turned him into Mexico's most reliable defender.
- Edson Alvarez: The defensive midfielder is the heartbeat of the team due to his ability to shield the defense and distribute under pressure.
- Gilberto Mora: At just 17, the Tijuana sensation is the "X-factor." He brings a creative spark that Mexico has lacked for years.
- Raul Jimenez: The veteran striker is chasing Javier Hernández’s all-time scoring record. His hold-up play and aerial threat remain vital.
Group A Schedule and the Path to the Final
Mexico finds itself in Group A alongside South Africa, South Korea and the Czech Republic.
They play two matches at Estadio Azteca, the iconic venue located in Mexico City and approximately 2,200 metres above sea level. They play once at Estadio Akron in Zapopan which is 1,500 metres above sea level.
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 11 | South Africa | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| June 18 | South Korea | Estadio Akron, Zapopan |
| June 24 | Czech Republic | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
If Mexico wins Group A, they will remain at home in the Round of 32 and face a third-placed qualifier. A win there would set up a blockbuster Round of 16 clash against England or Croatia, followed by a quarter-final that would likely involve a heavyweight like Brazil.
2026 World Cup Winner Odds - Mexico Long Shots
Mexico have come from 80/1 to around 65/1 to win the 2026 World Cup. While the home crowd is expected to play a big role in the group stage, there are no matches scheduled in Mexico from the quarter-finals onwards.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| France |
5.50 |
| Spain |
5.50 |
| England |
8.00 |
| Portugal |
8.50 |
| Brazil |
10.00 |
| Argentina |
10.00 |
| Germany |
15.00 |
| Netherlands |
21.00 |
| Norway |
26.00 |
| Belgium |
34.00 |
| Colombia |
41.00 |
| Japan |
51.00 |
| Morocco |
51.00 |
| Mexico |
67.00 |
| USA |
67.00 |
| Uruguay |
67.00 |
| Switzerland |
81.00 |
| Turkey |
81.00 |
| Croatia |
81.00 |
| Ecuador |
101.00 |
| Senegal |
126.00 |
| Canada |
126.00 |
| Sweden |
126.00 |
| Austria |
151.00 |
| Paraguay |
151.00 |
| Scotland |
251.00 |
| Ivory Coast |
301.00 |
| Czech Republic |
301.00 |
| Egypt |
301.00 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina |
351.00 |
| South Korea |
401.00 |
| Algeria |
401.00 |
| Ghana |
401.00 |
| Australia |
501.00 |
| Iran |
501.00 |
| Tunisia |
501.00 |
| DR Congo |
751.00 |
| Saudi Arabia |
1001.00 |
| South Africa |
1001.00 |
| Panama |
1501.00 |
| Iraq |
1501.00 |
| Uzbekistan |
1501.00 |
| Qatar |
2001.00 |
| Cape Verde |
2001.00 |
| New Zealand |
2501.00 |
| Jordan |
2501.00 |
| Haiti |
2501.00 |
| Curacao |
3501.00 |
Source: Stake.com and correct on 11 June 2026
Group A Winner Odds
With the home crowd behind them, Mexico have firmed from 2.00 to 1.75 to top Group A.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Mexico |
1.75 |
| Czechia |
4.50 |
| South Korea |
4.50 |
| South Africa |
13.00 |
To Reach the Quarter-Finals Odds
Mexico have reached the World Cup quarter-finals twice, both on home soil. They can be backed around 4.50 to repeat the feat in 2026.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Spain |
1.70 |
| France |
1.75 |
| England |
1.80 |
| Argentina |
2.00 |
| Brazil |
2.00 |
| Portugal |
2.00 |
| Germany |
2.35 |
| Netherlands |
2.60 |
| Belgium |
2.75 |
| Norway |
2.90 |
| Colombia |
3.50 |
| Switzerland |
4.00 |
| USA |
4.35 |
| Mexico | 4.50 |
| Uruguay |
4.50 |
| Morocco |
4.50 |
| Japan |
4.50 |
| Turkey |
5.00 |
| Croatia |
5.50 |
Source: Stake.com and correct on 11 June 2026
Stage of Elimination Odds
Mexico have lost both World Cup quarter-finals, to Italy in 1970 and West Germany in 1986.
| Stage | Odds |
|---|---|
| Group Stage |
7.00 |
| Round of 32 |
2.25 |
| Round of 16 |
3.00 |
| Quarter-finals |
6.50 |
| Semi-finals |
19.00 |
| Runner-Up |
34.00 |
| Winner |
67.00 |
Source: Stake.com and correct on 11 June 2026
Top Team Goalscorer Odds
Raul Jimenez is the focal point of the attack and primary penalty taker. The 34-year-old sits third on the all time goalscorer list with 45 goals for El Tri, two behind Jared Borgetti and six behind Javier Hernandez.
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Raul Jimenez |
2.75 |
| Julian Quinones |
6.50 |
| Santiago Gimenez |
7.50 |
| Roberto Alvarado |
11.00 |
| Alexis Vega |
13.00 |
| Armando Gonzalez |
15.00 |
| Guillermo Martinez |
15.00 |
| Cesar Huerta |
17.00 |
| Brian Gutierrez |
21.00 |
| Edson Alvarez |
21.00 |
| Orbelin Pineda |
26.00 |
| Luis Romo |
29.00 |
| Gilberto Mora |
34.00 |
| Israel Reyes |
41.00 |
| Cesar Montes |
51.00 |
| Alvaro Fidalgo |
51.00 |
| Obed Vargas |
51.00 |
| Luis Chavez |
67.00 |
| Jorge Sanchez |
67.00 |
Source: Stake.com and correct on 11 June 2026
Verdict
Mexico are favourites to win Group A, and if they do, El Tri will surely win the Round of 32 clash in Mexico City.
Their next opponents in that sequence is likely to be England or Croatia, and I don't think home advantage will save them there.
Mexico
Group A Winner
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Mexico Stage of Elimination
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