Mexico at the FIFA World Cup 2026

FIFA ranking: 15
Group: A
Confederation: CONCACAF
Coach: Javier Aguirre
World Cup titles: 0
Best result: Quarter-finals (1970, 1986)

History

Mexico is one of the most experienced World Cup nations, having appeared at 17 previous editions before 2026. Their first participation came at the inaugural 1930 tournament and they have qualified continuously since 1994. Their best results came as host nation: quarter-finals in both 1970 and 1986. In seven other editions they reached the round of 16, giving them a consistent record of second-round finishes. Mexico has never won the tournament.

Qualification

Mexico qualified automatically as a co-host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and the United States. This is Mexico's third time hosting the World Cup, having previously done so in 1970 and 1986. As host, Mexico bypassed the regular CONCACAF qualifying rounds entirely.

Preparation

Mexico opened their pre-tournament camp on 6 May 2026 at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento (CAR) in Mexico City, initially with Liga MX-based players. Coach Javier Aguirre released a preliminary 55-player list, then named the final 26-man squad on 1 June 2026. A friendly against Ghana was played on 22 May at Estadio Cuauhtemoc in Puebla, followed by a 1-0 win over Australia on 30 May at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena (Johan Vasquez header from an Alexis Vega corner). Their final pre-tournament friendly is against Serbia on 4 June 2026 at the Estadio Nemesio Diez in Toluca, the last match before their World Cup debut. Key players including captain Edson Alvarez and veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa joined the squad after their European seasons concluded; Ochoa is set for a record-equalling sixth World Cup. Aguirre has confirmed he will leave the role after the tournament regardless of results, with Rafa Marquez already announced as his successor.

Latest news

Aguirre names Mexico's final 26-man World Cup squad; Berterame and Lainez left out

Mon 1 Jun · squad

Javier Aguirre named Mexico's final 26-man World Cup squad on 1 June, with Guillermo Ochoa heading to a record-equalling sixth World Cup (joining Messi and Ronaldo). Gilberto Mora made it after recovering from pubalgia. Germán Berterame, Diego Lainez and Julián Araujo were notable omissions; Guillermo Martínez was preferred up front.

beinsports.com · 2026-06-02
bolavip.com · 2026-06-02

Mexico edge Australia 1-0 in Rose Bowl World Cup warm-up

Sat 30 May · matches

Mexico beat Australia 1-0 in a pre-World Cup friendly at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on 30 May. Johan Vasquez headed in the only goal from an Alexis Vega corner. Guillermo Ochoa came on at half-time and made several saves as Australia pushed in the second half. It was Mexico's penultimate warm-up before the tournament.

sports.yahoo.com · 2026-06-02
espn.com · 2026-06-02

Squad

Player	Position	Club
Guillermo Ochoa	GK	AEL Limassol
Raúl Rangel	GK	Guadalajara
Carlos Acevedo	GK	Santos Laguna
Jesús Gallardo	DF	Toluca
César Montes	DF	Lokomotiv Moscow
Jorge Sánchez	DF	PAOK
Johan Vásquez	DF	Genoa
Israel Reyes	DF	América
Mateo Chávez	DF	AZ Alkmaar
Edson Álvarez	MF	Fenerbahçe
Orbelín Pineda	MF	AEK Athens
Roberto Alvarado	MF	Guadalajara
Luis Romo	MF	Guadalajara
Luis Chávez	MF	Dynamo Moscow
Érik Lira	MF	Cruz Azul
Brian Gutiérrez	MF	Guadalajara
Gilberto Mora	MF	Tijuana
Obed Vargas	MF	Atlético Madrid
Álvaro Fidalgo	MF	Real Betis
Raúl Jiménez	FW	Fulham
Alexis Vega	FW	Toluca
Santiago Giménez	FW	AC Milan
César Huerta	FW	Anderlecht
Julián Quiñones	FW	Al-Qadsiah
Guillermo Martínez	FW	UNAM
Armando González	FW	Guadalajara