Neither the U.S. nor Canada: Mexico’s unique World Cup 2026 feat
Mexico’s group-stage performance outstripped that of its fellow 2026 co-hosts, Canada and the United States.
Hosting the World Cup seems to suit Mexico just fine. Historically, El Tri has delivered its best performances on its own turf, reaching the last eight in 1970 and 1986. And this year, the Mexicans are again impressing on home soil.
Co-hosts of the 2026 tournament, with Canada and the United States, Mexico has pulled off a feat achieved by only a handful of teams: it won all three of its group-stage matches without conceding a single goal.
El Tri cruises through Group A with a perfect record
Mexico was the only 2026 host nation to take all nine points in the group stage, winning every match it played. The national team finished atop Group A with a composed, authoritative showing against its opponents.
The run began with a 2–0 victory over South Africa, followed by a 1–0 win against South Korea. Mexico then closed out the opening round with a dominant triumph over Czechia, winning 3–0.
USMNT advances, but falls short of perfection
Fellow host the United States also claimed the top spot in its group, though it couldn’t match Mexico’s flawless campaign. Mauricio Pochettino’s squad finished first in Group D with six points and a +4 goal differential.
The Americans opened with a 4–1 rout of Paraguay and then defeated Australia 2–0. However, in their final group-stage match, they suffered a 3–2 loss to Türkiye, missing out on the chance to finish with three wins.
Despite not going unbeaten, the USMNT still advanced as group winner and will now face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32. Pochettino’s side will look to keep its momentum going and keep the dream of lifting the trophy on home soil alive.
Canada also falls short of a perfect group stage
The third World Cup host in 2026, Canada, experienced a similar trajectory to the USMNT, unable to navigate the group stage without a stumble. The Canadian side showed flashes of dominance but did enough to punch its ticket to the knockout rounds.
Canada opened with a draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, then delivered a statement 6–0 win over Qatar, before closing the group stage with a 2–1 loss to Switzerland.
Mexico sets the standard among the hosts
With four points, Canada finished second in Group B and will face South Africa in the round of 32. While all three host nations advanced, Mexico stood apart as the only one to deliver a perfect campaign - three wins, zero goals conceded, and a clear message to the rest of the field.
Related stories
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on 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.