World Cup: why playing at home became a burden for Mexico
Mexico debuts in the 2026 World Cup this Thursday afternoon (11) against South Africa, at the legendary Azteca Stadium, in Mexico City. However, what for some may be an advantage, for the Mexican team playing at home may be an added weight in the competition.
The country bears the unprecedented responsibility of being the only one to host three World Cups (1970, 1986 and 2026), at a time where the relationship with its fans is marked by pressure and some scars that are still open. One of them is the negative record in the last World Cups.
Another point that can become a burden for the players is that the best campaigns in Mexico's history were precisely when the team competed in the competition at home. For some fans, the factor brings hope. For others, it creates even more pressure on top of good results in the tournament.
Mexico and the trauma of the round of 16
The pressure for good results comes from the great negative sequence that Mexico has had in the last World Cups. Furthermore, the Mexican team carries a trauma in the World Cups.
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The main psychological factor putting pressure on "El Tri" is the historic barrier of the round of 16. Between 1994 and 2018, Mexico was eliminated at this stage in seven consecutive editions. The stigma was even created that "Mexico always falls into the round of 16".
However, the scenario became even worse in 2022, when the Mexicans were eliminated in the group stage for the first time in more than 40 years. The elimination came in a bracket that was made up of Argentina, Saudi Arabia and Poland. The bad results even generated an identity crisis in the national team.
Javier Aguirre, the "firefighter coach"
To alleviate the fire that the Mexico team has become, the Federation turned to Javier Aguirre, who is in his third stint with the team. Aguirre became known for being a "firefighter technician", the one always called in when things are not going well.
He has already taken command of the national team twice. One when the Mexicans were at risk of not qualifying for the 2002 World Cup, in South Korea and Japan. The other, in a similar scenario, for the 2010 World Cup, in South Africa.
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Aguirre has a brave style, is temperamental and likes players who fight for every ball. His administration, however, had some tensions.
On the eve of the World Cup, the coach faced a public conflict with clubs such as Chivas and Toluca, even threatening to exclude players from the final list who did not present themselves on the stipulated date for the training camp.
The Azteca Stadium, the stage for the consecration of Pelé and Maradona, today serves as a representation of Mexican pressure. Playing in the "Colossus of Santa Úrsula" in front of more than 80 thousand fans is a historic privilege, but one that could make the World Cup even more important for Mexico.
Mexico group and games
- Mexico
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Czech Republic
Mexico plays its first match against South Africa, at the Azteca Stadium, at 4pm Brasília time, this Thursday (11). In the second round, they face South Korea, at 10pm, in Guadalajara. Finally, they play against the Czech Republic, again at 10pm, in Mexico City.
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Source: CNN