How far can Mexico progress at the 2026 World Cup?
Home support and a kind draw make Mexico strong favourites to top Group A, and they should also have enough quality to see off a third-placed side in the round of 32. A tougher test is likely to await in the last 16, a stage that has often marked the end of their World Cup hopes. Mexico's only previous World Cup knockout victory came on home soil in 1986, when they beat Bulgaria on penalties before losing to West Germany in the quarter-finals. But that defeat began a run of eight successive World Cup knockout losses, with the last seven coming in the round of 16. If England, as expected, win Group L and safely negotiate their last-32 assignment, the Three Lions could have too much for the co-hosts and extend that unwanted sequence.
Our prediction: Stage of elimination - Round of 16 - 2/1
*all odds correct at time of publishing
Mexico World Cup odds
Outright Winner - 66/1
To Reach Final - 20/1
To Reach Semi-Final - 9/1
To Reach Quarter-Final - 15/4
To Reach Last 16 - 41/50
Group A Winner - 8/11
Group A Qualify - 1/10
Mexico's group stage fixtures:
11 JUN - 20:00 - Mexico vs South Africa
19 JUN - 02:00 - Mexico vs South Korea
25 JUN - 02:00 - Czechia vs Mexico
Bet builder scouting report
Player Carded
Cesar Montes picked up three yellow cards in six matches at last year's Concacaf Gold Cup and the centre-back has received five yellows and a red in his past 12 internationals.
Shots
Raul Jimenez averaged three shots per 90 for Fulham in the Premier League this season and he will once again be leading the line for Mexico at a major international tournament.
Shots On Target
Raul Jimenez's presence as Mexico's primary striker means Julian Quinones often finds himself shunted to the left of their attack. He boasts a phenomenal record in front of goal this season, scoring 33 times in 31 matches, and averages 1.95 shots on target per game.
Assists
Alexis Vega started Mexico’s friendlies against Australia and Ghana at the end of May and contributed an assist during 120 minutes of action. During the Liga MX Apertura and Clausura seasons, Vega weighed in with 11 assists in 24 matches at an average of 0.65 per 90 minutes.
Fouls Committed
Captain Edson Alvarez plays as the lone defensive midfielder in Javier Aguirre’s system and is well known for getting stuck in. The no-nonsense enforcer committed 2.58 fouls per 90 minutes for Fenerbahce this season.
Predicted Mexico Line-up
Formation - 4-3-3
Shirt number | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
1 | R. Rangel | Goalkeeper |
2 | J. Sánchez | Defender (RB) |
3 | C. Montes | Defender (CB) |
5 | J. Vásquez | Defender (CB) |
23 | J. Gallardo | Defender (LB) |
8 | Á. Fidalgo | Midfielder |
6 | É. Lira | Midfielder |
26 | B. Gutiérrez | Midfielder |
25 | R. Alvarado | Forward (LW) |
9 | R. Jiménez | Forward (ST) |
16 | J. Quiñones | Forward (RW) |
Full Mexico team
Position | Player |
|---|---|
GK | G. Ochoa |
GK | C. Acevedo |
GK | R. Rangel |
DF | J. Sánchez |
DF | J. Gallardo |
DF | J. Vásquez |
DF | I. Reyes |
DF | C. Montes |
DF | Mateo Chávez |
MF | L. Romo |
MF | É. Lira |
MF | G. Mora |
MF | C. Huerta |
MF | B. Gutiérrez |
MF | Á. Fidalgo |
MF | O. Pineda |
MF | E. Álvarez |
MF | Luis Chávez |
MF | O. Vargas |
FW | R. Jiménez |
FW | A. Vega |
FW | J. Quiñones |
FW | R. Alvarado |
FW | S. Giménez |
FW | A. González |
FW | G. Martínez |
Mexico Team Rating
Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
Overall | 67 |
Defence | 67 |
Midfield | 66 |
Attack | 69 |
Squad Depth | 65 |
WC Record | 67 |
Form | 55 |
Goalkeeper | 63 |
Manager | 69 |
Star Player | 68 |
See all World Cup 2026 fixtures and group tables.
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