The World Cup is not generating the same buzz in Mexico as in past editions, even though the country is one of three hosts for the 2026 tournament alongside the United States and Canada.

Fan interest has declined over the past month, with enthusiasm now lower than it was at a similar stage ahead of both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

In fact, Qatar 2022 was drawing more attention in Mexico just 30 days before kickoff than the 2026 tournament is today.

Poll shows declining excitement in Mexico

A survey conducted by El Financiero found that just 29 percent of 800 respondents said they were “very or somewhat interested” in the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

That figure trails previous editions at the same point in the buildup, including Russia 2018 at 37 percent and Qatar 2022 at 39 percent.

The downward trend is also evident over time. In mid-April 2026, 34 percent of respondents said they were looking forward to the tournament. That number has since fallen by 5 percentage points.

By comparison, interest in Qatar 2022 dropped from 50 percent two months out to 39 percent just before kickoff. Russia 2018 was the only recent tournament to see rising enthusiasm, climbing from 31 percent to 37 percent.

Who is most interested

The survey also highlighted demographic differences in interest.

Men reported higher engagement at 35 percent, compared to 24 percent among women.

By age group, fans between 30 and 49 years old showed the strongest interest in the tournament. Younger adults aged 18 to 29 registered just 28 percent interest, while those over 50 were slightly lower at 26 percent.

The poll did not explore the reasons behind the declining enthusiasm.

Brazil and Argentina lead the title race in Mexican fans’ eyes

Despite muted excitement, fans still have clear opinions on who will win the tournament.

Brazil leads the way as the most popular pick, selected by 14 percent of respondents. Argentina follows closely at 13 percent.

Spain sits third at 8 percent, while Mexico and France are tied at 7 percent each.

Germany received just 3 percent support. England and Uruguay each earned 1 percent, and Portugal, despite featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, did not receive any mentions.

Mexico to open 2026 World Cup in Mexico City

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will kick off on June 11, 2026, at Mexico City’s Estadio Ciudad de México.

The opening match is scheduled for 1 p.m. local time, featuring Mexico against South Africa as the tournament begins its 23rd edition under FIFA’s expanded format.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that of this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.