What is Mexico’s record and best finish at a World Cup?
El Tri will be aiming to get a ticket to the knockout stages in the Qatar World Cup, although they will face fierce competition in Group C.
Soccer fans are counting the days and hours until the start of the 2022 World Cup, as probably the Mexico national team is also doing. They are heading to Qatar with the intention of going as further as they can in the tournament.
‘El Tri’ have qualified for 16 of the 21 FIFA World Cups to date, which is quite a remarkable record compared to many nations of the world.
Gerardo Martino’s team, which has qualified for the World Cup for the eighth time in a row, is expected to be fighting for a second ticket to the round of 16 with Poland.
Mexico’s best finish at a World Cup
Mexico’s greatest performances in a World Cup came in 1970 and 1986. On both occasions, they reached the quarterfinals, where they were kicked out of the competition by Italy and West Germany respectively.
In the first of those editions, the Mexican side defeated Belgium and El Salvador and tied to the Soviet Union to go through.
16 years later, Mexico, the host nation, recorded a historic performance in front of their fans. They defeated Iraq and Belgium to get the ticket to the next round.
El Tri faced Bulgaria in a hard-fought battle but ultimately, Mexico came away with a 2–0 win that would see them play the quarterfinals of the competition. However, they ran out of luck when they were eliminated by West Germany on penalties.
El Tri’s World Cup results
Mexico didn’t enjoy a good beginning during the first three World Cup editions they took part in.
The first WC they played was back in 1930. The Mexicans lost all three group stage games against a kind of ‘group of death’, as they tasted defeat against Argentina, Chile, and France.
They had to wait 20 years to play their second tournament, which was held in Brazil, but they also lost all three games, scoring only two goals, one vs. Yugoslavia and the other one vs. Switzerland.
In 1954, their losing streak went on, losing their two group stage matches, against ‘heavyweights’ Brazil and France.
From 1930 to 1966 Mexico were kicked out of the competition early, but as previously mentioned, 1970 meant a new beginning of hope that was boosted by the 1986 World Cup.
Since then till 2018, Mexico have been able to qualify for the round of 16, but Gerardo Martino’s men will try to improve this long-lasting record in Qatar.