Who Is Mexico Playing at 2026 World Cup and What's Their Path to World Cup Final?

Mexico's opponents for the Group Stage of this summer's World Cup are now set.

El Tri drew the Korea Republic, South Africa and the winner of the European playoffs between Denmark, North Macedonia, Czechia and the Republic of Ireland in Group A. They will open their tournament on Thursday, June 11 against South Africa, followed by a matchup against the Korea Republic on Thursday, June 18 and will close with the fixture against the European playoff winner on Wednesday, June 24.

The Republic of Ireland will face Czechia and Denmark will take on North Macedonia in the World Cup qualifying playoff semifinals, with the winners facing each other for an opportunity to clinch a spot in Group A.

Mexico, one of three hosts for this year's event alongside the United States and Canada, is hoping to get past the Round of 16 for the first time since being quarterfinalists in 1986. The 2022 World Cup was a disappointment for El Tri, as the country failed to advance out of the group stage after drawing with Poland, losing to Argentina and beating Saudi Arabia.

They finished even with Poland on four points but had a worse goal differential and were eliminated. Argentina won the group and ultimately the entire tournament.

While Mexico didn't have to qualify for the 2026 World Cup as hosts, the country did win its final competitive tournament, defeating the United States in July's Gold Cup Final, 2-1. While Mexico was largely full strength in that contest against more of a B-side from the United States, it was a solid result for El Tri.

Mexico's friendlies since then have been less encouraging, with a scoreless draw against Japan, a 2-2 draw with South Korea, a 4-0 loss against Colombia and a 1-1 draw with Ecuador. El Tri has managed just one win in its six friendlies this year, though it won both of its Concacaf Nations League matches and had five wins in six Gold Cup matches.