The Decline of the Mexican National Team and Its Path to Recovery for the 2026 World Cup
After the failure at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, the Mexican National Team faces a major challenge as it prepares for the 2026 World Cup. Although the team has played multiple matches over the past two years, the quality of its opponents and the results obtained have not been favorable, raising doubts about its readiness for the tournament.
The Challenge: Low-Level Competition
Of the 22 matches Mexico has played since being eliminated in the group stage of Qatar 2022, only five have been against teams ranked within the FIFA top 20. These opponents have included powerhouses such as Brazil (5), the United States (13), Germany (15), Colombia (15), and Uruguay (15), with Mexico suffering five losses and only managing to draw in five encounters. This trend highlights the difficulty the team has faced in competing at the highest level.
Who Are the Lower-Ranked Opponents?
Most of the Mexican team’s matches have been against teams ranked outside the FIFA top 50. Teams like Suriname (139), Guatemala (116), and New Zealand (107) have been part of Mexico’s preparation schedule. While these games may boost confidence, they don’t provide the competition Mexico needs to improve its performance in international tournaments.
A Smooth Road with Few Tough Tests
So far, there is only one upcoming match where Mexico will face a team within the top 20: a friendly against the United States in October 2024. This will be a key test to evaluate the team’s progress under head coach Javier Aguirre. However, without more matches against high-caliber teams, Mexico’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup remains a cause for concern.
The Plan to Reverse the Downward Trend
Mexico not only needs to improve its results but also to secure matches against top-tier teams to properly prepare for the 2026 World Cup. While games against Canada and Spain’s Valencia may provide valuable experience, it is crucial for Mexico to seek more opponents within the top 20 of the FIFA rankings to be able to compete at the highest level.
Conclusion: A Global Challenge
With opponents from all six FIFA confederations faced over the past two years, the Mexican National Team has tried to cover a global spectrum of rivals, but the results have been underwhelming. Although Javier Aguirre is now in charge, the team still has much to improve to reverse the negative trend and arrive in optimal condition for the 2026 World Cup, a tournament Mexico will co-host.
Follow the Tricolor’s Preparation!
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