Mexico's World Cup 2026 campaign so far

por Wosti -

England face Mexico in the round of 16 on Sunday night at the Estadio Azteca, and let us be honest, there are worse draws and there are worse draws. This is one of the worse ones. The co-hosts have been ruthless from the opening whistle, winning all four games so far, keeping a clean sheet throughout the group stage, and ending a 40-year wait to win a knockout match. If the Three Lions needed a warning, Mexico have served up several, and the Round of 16 odds are constantly updating ahead of the clash.

Mexico 2-0 South Africa (11 June 2026)

The 2026 World Cup began at the Estadio Azteca in front of over 80,000 roaring fans, and it began with a slice of history before a single ball was kicked. South Africa and Mexico had faced each other in the very first match of the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg, that fixture ending 1-1 with South Africa as hosts. Sixteen years on, almost to the day, the two nations were drawn together again to open a tournament. This time, Mexico were the hosts, and the game ended very differently.

Julian Quinones put the co-hosts ahead inside nine minutes with a low finish through the legs of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. Raul Jimenez doubled the lead in the 67th minute with a header at the back post, his first ever World Cup goal across four tournaments.

Then the referee had the night of his life, dishing out three red cards. South Africa's Sphephelo Sithole went early in the second half for hauling down Mexican attacker Brian Gutierrez, who was clean through on goal. Substitute Themba Zwane was then dismissed in the 82nd minute after catching Roberto Alvarado in the face, a decision backed up by VAR. And Mexico captain Cesar Montes saw red in stoppage time for his own denial of a goalscoring opportunity. Three red cards in total, which was a record for any World Cup opening match.

Mexico 1-0 South Korea (18 June 2026)

A quieter night by comparison, though Mexico got the job done. Luis Romo pounced in the 50th minute after South Korea's goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu spilled a shot, having collided with his own player Lee Gi-hyuk. Another clean sheet, and another win. Mexico became the first team to book their place in the newly expanded round of 32, with six points from six.

Czech Republic 0-3 Mexico (24 June 2026)

Any lingering doubts were cleared up in the final group game. Mateo Chavez broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, Quinones got his second of the tournament six minutes later, and Alvaro Fidalgo added a third deep into stoppage time. Three wins, three clean sheets, and nine points for El Tricolor. For the first time in their history, Mexico had won every single game in the group stage of a World Cup.

Mexico 2-0 Ecuador (30 June 2026, Round of 32)

Then came the moment an entire nation had been waiting four decades for. Mexico had not won a World Cup knockout match since beating Bulgaria at Mexico 1986. Ecuador were dispatched in the last 32 as Quinones and Jimenez struck within nine minutes of each other in the first half to make it 2-0 at half time and never looked back. The drought was over. The noise from the Azteca was something else entirely.

Mexico vs England

A record-breaking chaos fest to open the tournament, an exhilarating knockout win, and the loudest home support in the competition cheering them on every step of the way. Mexico are in fine form, and Thomas Tuchel's side have been warned. You can track the UK betting markets ahead of the game. Sunday night is going to be some occasion.