The Anthem
Himno Nacional Mexicano
▶ Listen on YouTube ↗“Mexicanos, al grito de guerra…”
Adopted 1854; the lyrics were chosen by a national competition won by the poet Francisco González Bocanegra.
The Legends
Names that echo
Hugo Sánchez
Forward · 1980s–90s
Real Madrid icon famed for acrobatic volleys; widely rated the greatest CONCACAF player ever.
Rafael Márquez
Defender · 2000s–10s
Captained Mexico at a record five World Cups.
Jorge Campos
Goalkeeper · 1990s
Designed his own riotously colorful kits and sometimes played as a striker.
Fun Facts
Worth knowing
- 01
Mexico City's Estadio Azteca will become the first stadium ever to host matches at three different World Cups (1970, 1986, 2026).
- 02
As co-host, Mexico opens the entire 2026 tournament — a fitting bookend to the country's deep World Cup history.
- 03
Mexico has reached the knockout rounds more often than almost any nation, yet famously keeps stalling at the round of 16 — the 'quinto partido' (fifth game) curse.
At the World Cup
The story so far
One of only a handful of nations present at the very first World Cup in 1930, Mexico has become a tournament fixture. Both of its quarter-final runs came on home soil, and in 2026 it hosts for a historic third time.
The host that gave us 'the Hand of God'
Mexico stepped in to host on short notice and delivered a classic tournament — the stage for Maradona's two most famous goals against England at the Azteca.
A festival of football
Mexico's first time as host produced what many call the greatest World Cup ever, crowned by Brazil's golden side.
Group Stage