Team: Mexico

Mexico enter their home World Cup under coach Javier Aguirre, carrying the enormous pride and expectation of a nation that treats football as a way of life. El Tri open the entire tournament at Estadio Azteca on June 11, playing in the most iconic stadium in World Cup history. Santiago Gimenez leads the attack, backed by Edson Alvarez in midfield. Mexico have reached the Round of 16 at every World Cup since 1978 and this generation believes the ceiling can finally be broken. A home tournament at the Azteca is the moment they have been waiting for.

The 2026 World Cup is the third time Mexico has hosted the tournament, following 1970 and 1986, making El Tri the only country to have hosted more than twice. This is the nation's 18th World Cup, with their best performances coming on home soil, reaching the quarterfinals in both 1970 and 1986.