Mexico World Cup draw 2026: Group results, schedule, roster, coach and more to know
Mexico is set to enter the 2026 World Cup with something to prove.
Once considered a rising power in global football, Mexico has failed to make a deep run in recent tournaments. In 2022, El Tri fell in the group stage for the first time since 1978 — but with the opportunity to host in 2026, there is hope for a turnaround.
When El Tri serves as one of three World Cup 2026 hosts, it will become the first nation to host the tournament three times, having previously done so in 1970 and 1986.
The Sporting News breaks down Mexico’s path at the 2026 World Cup, the team’s roster, and how it has performed throughout World Cup history.
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Mexico World Cup draw
Mexico’s group was determined by Friday’s World Cup draw. Mexico was one of 12 teams included in Pot 1 of the draw.
| Team | PTS | GP | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| South Africa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| South Korea | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Denmark/North Macedonia/Czechia/Republic of Ireland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Group match schedule
| Date | Time (ET) | Match | Location |
| Thu, Jun. 11 | 3 p.m. | Mexico vs. South Africa | Mexico City Stadium (Mexico City, MEX) |
| Thu, Jun. 11 | 10 p.m. | South Korea vs. UEFA Playoff D winner | Estadio Guadalajara (Guadalajara, MEX) |
| Thu, Jun. 18 | 12 p.m. | UEFA Playoff D winner vs. South Africa | Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA) |
| Thu, Jun. 18 | 9 p.m. | Mexico vs. South Korea | Estadio Guadalajara (Guadalajara, MEX) |
| Wed, Jun. 24 | 9 p.m. | UEFA Playoff D winner vs. Mexico | Mexico City Stadium (Mexico City, MEX) |
| Wed, Jun. 24 | 9 p.m. | South Africa vs. South Korea | Estadio Monterrey (Monterrey, MEX) |
Mexico all-time World Cup groups
Mexico has appeared in the World Cup every year since 1994, and from 1994-2018, they advanced past the group stage in every tournament.
| Year | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd place | 4th place |
| 2022 | Argentina | Saudi Arabia | Mexico | Poland |
| 2018 | Germany | Mexico | Sweden | South Korea |
| 2014 | Brazil | Croatia | Mexico | Cameroon |
| 2010 | Uruguay | Mexico | South Africa | France |
| 2006 | Portugal | Mexico | Angola | Iran |
| 2002 | Mexico | Italy | Croatia | Ecuador |
| 1998 | Netherland | Mexico | Belgium | South Korea |
| 1994 | Mexico | Republic of Ireland | Italy | Norway |
| 1986 | Mexico | Paraguay | Belgium | Iraq |
| 1978 | Poland | West Germany | Tunisia | Mexico |
| 1970 | Soviet Union | Mexico | Belgium | El Salvador |
| 1966 | England | Uruguay | Mexico | France |
| 1962 | Brazil | Czechoslovakia | Mexico | Spain |
| 1958 | Sweden | Wales | Hungary | Mexico |
| 1954 | Brazil | Yugoslavia | France | Mexico |
| 1950 | Brazil | Yugoslavia | Switzerland | Mexico |
| 1930 | Argentina | Chile | France | Mexico |
Mexico World Cup snapshot
While Mexico enters the World Cup ranked 15th in the world — a position that would typically place them in Pot 2 — they’ll benefit from being one of the three host nations and will be placed in Pot 1 automatically. The three hosts were guaranteed Pot 1 status and are joined by the nine highest-ranked qualified teams.
Mexico has never won the World Cup but has been a consistent presence in the tournament. The furthest El Tri has advanced is the quarterfinals, reaching that stage in 1970 and 1986. However, in recent years, Mexico’s success has faded, with the team exiting in the group stage in 2022 for the first time since 1978.
- Current FIFA World Ranking: No. 15 (December 2025)
- World Cup titles: 0
- World Cup appearances (last): 17 (Qatar 2022)
- How Mexico qualified: Automatically (host)
- World Cup record:
- Games: 60 GP (17 W, 15 D, 28 L)
- Goal differential: -39 (62 GS, 101 GA)
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Mexico World Cup 2026 preview
Mexico will be looking to take a long-awaited step forward at the World Cup after their 2022 misstep. With a coaching change since, then, as Javier Aguirre took over, they’ll be hoping that hosting is the boost they need — both of Mexico’s previous quarter-finals runs came on home soil.
With Edson Alvarez captaining, and Raul Jimenez having experience in three World Cups, Mexico will be seeking to keep its momentum going after winning the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
- Star Players: Edson Alvarez, Hirving Lozano, Raul Jimenez
- Players to Watch: Gilberto Mora, Jesus Gallardo, Jorge Sanchez
Who is Mexico head coach?
Mexico underwent a coaching change after its lack of success at Qatar in 2022. In July 2024, Javier Aguirre took on the job. The 67-year-old also coached Mexico from 2001-02 and 2009-10.
Aguirre, a former midfielder, played for Mexico in the 1986 World Cup. In the past, he’s also managed Egypt and Japan’s national teams.
Under Aguirre’s leadership since 2024, Mexico won its first Nations League title in 2025, as well as his second Gold Cup.
- Manager (Nationality): Javier Aguirre (Mexico)
- Date hired: July 22, 2024
- Record as national team manager (W-L-D): 11-6-4 (third stint only)
- Major titles since hire: Nations League (2025)
- Notable victories:
- 2-1 over Panama in Nations League Final 2025
- 2-1 over U.S. in Gold Cup Final 2025
Mexico roster at the World Cup 2026
Raul Jimenez is one of Mexico’s most experienced players, set to bring plenty of World Cup experience to the 2026 squad. He’ll be one of their key players at the event next year.
Edson Alvarez is another player, in the defensive midfield, who has continued to grow for the national team, and he’ll play a significant role at the World Cup. Hirving Lozano, who scored the only goal in an upset of defending champion Germany in 2018, will be among Mexico’s top attackers.
In terms of young talent, look no further than 17-year-old Gilberto Mora, who started in the Gold Cup final — the young star could make a big name for himself on the global stage.
Mexico predicted starting XI (formation: 4-3-3)
Malagon (GK)
Gallardo, Vasquez, Araujo, Sanchez
Alvarez, Mora, Ruiz
Lozano, Jimenez, Gimenez
Strengths:
- Experience: Considering Mexico has played in the last eight World Cups, it has experience on its side. Jesus Gallardo and Raul Jimenez both have over 100 caps, while Edson Alvarez isn’t far behind at 95.
- Home Soil: Historically, Mexico has played its best when hosting the World Cup, making its deepest runs in 1986 and 1970. Could the home fans be enough to give them a boost in 2026?
Weaknesses:
- Star Power: Compared to some other top teams, especially within Pot 1, Mexico lacks a superstar face. Gilberto Mora is viewed as and up-and-coming star, but he is still going to be 17 years old at the World Cup; unless he can help put Mexico on his back, there aren’t many best-of-the-best players for the team.
Mexico roster for 2026 World Cup
Below is a projected 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup. This will be updated when the squad is officially announced by Mexico closer to the start of the tournament.
*Caps as of Nov. 18, 2025.
| Pos | Name | Club | Caps |
| GK | Luis Malagón | Club America | 19 |
| GK | Guillermo Ochoa | AEL Limassol | 151 |
| GK | Raúl Rangel | Guadalajara | 6 |
| DEF | Johan Vásquez | Genoa | 42 |
| DEF | Jesus Gallardo | Toluca | 113 |
| DEF | Jorge Sanchez | Cruz Azul | 54 |
| DEF | Cesar Montes | Lokomotiv Moscow | 63 |
| DEF | Julian Araujo | Bournemouth | 16 |
| DEF | Jesus Orozco | Cruz Azul | 9 |
| DEF | Israel Reyes | Club America | 27 |
| DEF | Rodrigo Huescas | Copenhagen | 3 |
| MID | Edson Alvarez | Fenerbahçe | 95 |
| MID | Gilberto Mora | Tijuana | 5 |
| MID | Marcel Ruiz | Toluca | 14 |
| MID | Carlos Rodriguez | Cruz Azul | 64 |
| MID | Erik Lira | Cruz Azul | 17 |
| MID | Luis Chavez | Dynamo Moscow | 42 |
| MID | Orbelin Pineda | AEK Athens | 89 |
| FWD | Raul Jimenez | Fulham | 121 |
| FWD | Hirving Lozano | San Diego | 75 |
| FWD | Santiago Gimenez | Milan | 46 |
| FWD | Julian Quinones | Al-Qadsiah | 18 |
| FWD | Alexis Vega | Toluca | 48 |
| FWD | Cesar Huerta | Anderlecht | 25 |
| FWD | Diego Lainez | UANL | 32 |
| FWD | Germán Berterame | Monterrey | 6 |
Mexico World Cup history
Mexico has never won the World Cup, but has made plenty of appearances, with their furthest run being a pair of quarter-finals appearances.
- World Cups appearances: 17
- Best finish: Quarterfinals (1986, 1970)
- All-time goals scored: 62
- All-time goals conceded: 101
- All-time record (W-L-D): 17-28-15
| Year | Stage Reached | Eliminated By | W-L-D |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Group Stage | N/A | 0-3-0 |
| 1950 | Group Stage | N/A | 0-3-0 |
| 1954 | Group Stage | N/A | 0-2-0 |
| 1958 | Group Stage | N/A | 0-2-1 |
| 1962 | Group Stage | N/A | 1-2-0 |
| 1966 | Group Stage | N/A | 0-2-1 |
| 1970* | Quarterfinals | Italy | 2-1-1 |
| 1978 | Group Stage | N/A | 0-3-0 |
| 1986* | Quarterfinals | West Germany | 3-0-2 |
| 1994 | Round of 16 | Bulgaria | 1-1-2 |
| 1998 | Round of 16 | Germany | 1-1-2 |
| 2002 | Round of 16 | United States | 2-1-1 |
| 2006 | Round of 16 | Argentina | 1-2-1 |
| 2010 | Round of 16 | Argentina | 1-2-1 |
| 2014 | Round of 16 | Netherlands | 2-1-1 |
| 2018 | Round of 16 | Brazil | 2-2-0 |
| 2022 | Group Stage | N/A | 1-1-1 |
*Host
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