Mexico can equal their best ever World Cup performance when they take on England for a place in the quarter-finals. Hosting a World Cup for the third time - first as co-hosts - Javier Aguirre’s side have been impressive, topping Group A after recording three wins without conceding a single goal.
Mexico's tournament so far
Kicking off the tournament with a 2-0 win over South Africa, following that up by beating South Korea and Czechia before making light work of Ecuador - a popular pre-tournament dark horse - in the round of 32.
Mexico’s current squad is made up of players well known to Premier League watchers, including former Fulham striker Raul Jimenez, who is his nation’s second all-time top scorer, and West Ham midfielder Edson Alvarez.
Key players to watch
Guillermo Ochoa
The legendary goalkeeper. Widely regarded as one the greatest Mexican keepers ever, Ochoa only ever seems to be a topic of conversation when it comes to an international tournament. Having come on as a substitute in the 3-0 win over Czechia in the group stage, Ochoa became the oldest Mexican player to feature at a World Cup, aged 40 years and 346 days. Furthermore, this is his sixth World Cup - equalling Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Raul Rangel
The number one option between the posts for Mexico nowadays, Rangel is seeking his fifth consecutive clean sheet at these finals.
Edson Alvarez
Alvarez is still on West Ham’s books after spending the season on loan at Fenerbahce. Despite being Mexico captain, he is not a guaranteed starter for the national team having been named on the bench for half of the games so far.
Jesus Gallardo
Gallardo is in the top ten for most appearances for Mexico. The left-back will be tasked with keeping Bukayo Saka, or Noni Madueke, quiet.
Alvaro Fidalgo
Once on the books of Real Madrid, the midfielder made one senior appearance for the European giants before moving on. Despite being born in Spain, Fidalgo gained Mexican citizenship after spending more than five years in the country. Now back in Europe after joining Real Betis in February.
Obed Vargas
Represented USA at U20 and U23 level before completing the switch to Mexico in October 2024. Left Seattle Sounders in February to pursue a career in Europe and has taken quite a positive first step by joining Atletico Madrid.
Gilberto Mora
The future of Mexican football. Mora has created plenty of history at the World Cup already. He is the tournament’s youngest player at 17 and set a new record as the youngest Mexican to feature at a World Cup aged 17 years and 240 days. Then after starting the 2-0 win over Ecuador, he became the second youngest player to start at a World Cup knockout match aged 17 years and 259 days - behind only Pele.
Raul Jimenez
Only Javier ‘Chicarito’ Hernandez (52) has scored more goals for Mexico than Jimenez (47). The former Fulham striker, now back at Wolves on a free transfer, will be out to cause more misery for England’s Jordan Pickford.
Santiago Gimenez
Earned a big transfer to AC Milan after impressive back-to-back scoring seasons in the Netherlands with Feyenoord. Though the move has not quite worked out as he would have hoped.
Julian Quinones
Arguably the unlikely hero of the World Cup. Born in southern Colombia, he rejected a call-up to the national team in 2023 after living in Mexico since the age of 17. Declaring for Mexico later that year, Quinones has the honour of scoring the first goal of World Cup 2026 and followed that up with the opener against Ecuador in the round of 32. The top scorer in the Saudi Pro League during the 2025-26 season - outscoring Ronaldo and Ivan Toney - he is a clear danger on the left-hand side which is an issue for England amid a right-back crisis.
