The last of the three host teams for the 2026 FIFA World Cup that will be put in the spotlight is Mexico. This will be the country’s third time hosting the tournament, setting the record for the most times a team has hosted it.
Mexico previously hosted the tournament in 1970 and 1986, which coincidentally were the two years in which they recorded their best finish in the tournament. Both years, they reached the quarter-finals, finishing in 6th place.
Mexico is currently one of the most dominant nations set to participate in the World Cup and their home field advantage could largely benefit them. They have already gathered some impressive performances in international play this year, defeating the United States by a score of 2-1 in the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025. In their most recent match, on Sept. 8, the team tied with Korea in a 2-2 outcome.
In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Mexico failed to make it past the group stages, which marked their worst finish in the tournament since 1978. With the momentum of winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer and co-hosting the tournament, Mexico has all the potential to go on a run.
The team is led by Javier Aguirre, who will be making his first appearance in the tournament since retaking his spot as the team’s manager. Aguirre led the team to the round of 16 in the 2002 World Cup in his short-lived managerial stint. This upcoming summer, Aguirre will look to bring the team even farther with his experience, as he has played in the 1986 World Cup final as a member of Mexico’s squad.
Mexico earned an automatic bid into the 2026 FIFA World Cup since they are one of three nations co-hosting the tournament. The country has a proven track record of success when playing on their home field and will hope to continue that trend next summer. With all three of their group stage matches scheduled to be played in Mexico, the team is hoping to make it past the first round and beyond.