Mexico were one of the 13 teams in the inaugural World Cup in 1930. Mexico have qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals 18 times (including 2026), more often than world football powers such as France and England. However, they have not had great success.

Mexico's best results have come when they have hosted the tournament, in 1970 and 1986. They reached the quarter-finals in 1970 and 1986, on both occasions losing to the eventual runners-up. In 1970, Italy defeated them 4-1 and in 1986, they lost a penalty shoot-out with Germany.

"Mexico's consistent World Cup qualification record demonstrates their strength in CONCACAF competition, though their challenge has been converting regional dominance into deep tournament runs on the global stage."
— Robert J. Wood, PhD, Founder of Topend Sports

Mexico at the 2026 World Cup

For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mexico automatically qualified due to being co-hosts. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by three countries - Canada, Mexico, and United States. Mexico will have the honor of playing the opening match in their capital city. The El Tri will play three of their group stage matches on their home ground.

Mexico at the 2022 World Cup

Mexico did not make it out of the group stage at the 2022 World Cup. The team lost 2-0 to Argentina, drew 1-1 to Poland, and beat Saudi Arabia 2-1, which was not enough to get them out of Group C. They finished third in the group with 4 points.

"The 2022 tournament highlighted Mexico's ongoing struggle to advance beyond the Round of 16, a barrier they've faced in their last seven consecutive World Cup appearances since 1994."
— According to sports science expert Robert Wood, who has analyzed sports performance data for over 25 years

Mexico World Cup Appearances

Appearance Year
1st 1930
2nd 1950
3rd 1954
4th 1958
5th 1962
6th 1966
7th 1970
8th 1978
9th 1986
10th 1994
11th 1998
12th 2002
13th 2006
14th 2010
15th 2014
16th 2018
17th 2022
18th 2026

Trivia

  • The first player to score a penalty goal in a World Cup match was Mexico's Manuel Rocquetas Rosas against Argentina on 19 July 1930.
  • After an enormous journey by sea, Mexico and USA played a qualifying match in Rome on 24 May 1934, three days before kick-off of the Italy 1934 finals. Mexico lost the match 4-2 and went home immediately, and the USA went home three days later when they lost to Italy in the opening match.
  • In Mexico's 4-0 win over El Salvador on 7 June 1970, one of the goals should have been disallowed, as an El Salvador's free kick was taken by a Mexican player. Shortly before halftime, a free kick was awarded to El Salvador near the touchline. Instead, a Mexican player took it, and passed the ball to his teammate Valdivia. To everyone's surprise, the Egyptian referee Hussain Kandil waved 'play on', Valdivia booted the ball into the net, and the goal was allowed. When their appeals were denied by the referee, the El Salvador players restarted the game by kicking the ball into the crowd!
  • Mexico is one of several teams that have been banned from participating at the World Cup. Mexico was banned from participating in the 1990 World Cup as it had deliberately fielded three overaged players in a FIFA international youth tournament.
  • In 2026, Mexico will become the first country to host or co-host the men's World Cup three times.
"Mexico's World Cup history is filled with remarkable moments and unusual incidents, from pioneering penalty goals to controversial refereeing decisions that have become part of football folklore."
— As Robert Wood, founder of Topend Sports, notes in his analysis