| Keyword | Description |
|---|---|
| World Cup | The biggest soccer tournament in the world, held every four years. |
| El Tri | Nickname for the Mexican national soccer team. |
| Quarterfinal | A round in a tournament where eight teams compete to advance. |
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is approaching, with Mexico co-hosting alongside the U.S. and Canada. El Tri, Mexico’s national team, has a long history in this tournament. Since the first World Cup in 1930, Mexico has participated 17 times, missing out on only 5 tournaments. Despite their frequent appearances, Mexico hasn’t won the World Cup yet. Out of 60 matches, they’ve won 17, lost 28, and tied 15.
Mexico’s first victory came in 1962 against Czechoslovakia. They’ve scored an average of 1.03 goals per match but have conceded 1.68 goals on average. Their biggest win was a 4-0 victory over El Salvador in 1970, while their toughest loss was 6-0 against West Germany in 1978.
Top goal scorers include Luis Hernández and Javier Hernández, each with four goals. Rafael Márquez holds the record for the most matches played for Mexico in the World Cup, with 19 appearances over five tournaments. Andres Guardado follows with 13 matches.
Mexico’s “fifth game curse” refers to their struggle to advance past the fourth match in the tournament. They reached the quarterfinals, or “fifth game,” only once in 1986. However, with the 2026 tournament expanding to 48 teams, Mexico might have a better chance to break this curse.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Torneo |
| Goal | Gol |
| Quarterfinal | Cuartos de final |
Time to discuss
- Why do you think Mexico has not won a World Cup yet?
- How might the increased number of teams in 2026 affect Mexico’s chances?
- What strategies could help Mexico improve their World Cup performance?
Let’s Write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph
- Describe the significance of the 2026 World Cup for Mexico.
- What do you think are the challenges and opportunities for Mexico in this tournament?
