MEXICO CITY (AP) 鈥� As Mexico prepares to co-host the , coach isn鈥檛 just focusing on tactical drills and physical fitness. He鈥檚 waging a psychological campaign off the pitch, pulling out all the stops to inspire a historic run on home soil.
To spark that fire, El Tri鈥檚 base camp at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento has recently welcomed some heavy-hitting inspiration: veterans from Mexico鈥檚 1986 World Cup squad and boxing great .
鈥淭he idols change, the uniforms evolve, but the pride of representing Mexico remains intact,鈥� Mikel Arriola, commissioner of the Mexican Football Federation, said. 鈥淲hat the legends of 鈥�86 experienced was historic, but what is coming in 2026 has the potential to match it.鈥�
Mexico鈥檚 best World Cup results have come as the host nation in 1970 and 1986, when they reached the quarterfinals. Ch谩vez, considered one of the greatest Mexican fighters of all time, is an inspirational figure who won six world titles across three weight divisions.
鈥淚 hear people talking about reaching the fifth match, but I believe you are going to get much, much farther,鈥� Ch谩vez told the squad. 鈥淚t does not matter if your opponent is faster or stronger than you 鈥� dare to dream big.鈥�
Mexico didn’t advance beyond the round of 16 in seven consecutive World Cups from 1994 to 2022, making the so-called 鈥渇ifth match鈥� (the quarterfinals) an obsession for local media and fans.
It’s a little more tricky in the 2026 edition, which is being co-hosted by Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. With the expansion to 48 teams and the addition of a round of 32 after the group stage, the quarterfinals will be the sixth match for teams that advance so far in this tournament.
Home advantage
Aguirre, a starting midfielder on the 1986 national team, has been emphasizing the rare advantage of playing a World Cup at home, and the career-defining impact of a historic performance.
鈥淲e went to the anthropology museum, and it is marvelous. For the players, it was an incredible experience 鈥� they have to know where we come from,鈥� Aguirre said. 鈥淚t was exciting for me, but I could also see it in the players鈥� faces. Going there was a massive success.鈥�
Mental strength
Additionally, the Mexican federation re-hired Spanish mental performance coach Imanol Ibarrondo, who previously worked with El Tri during the 2018 World Cup and assisted Ecuador at Qatar 2022.
鈥淚manol has done great work for us. We鈥檝e had personal and group sessions, and we got to know each other better,鈥� 22-year-old defender Mateo Chavez noted before Wednesday’s practice. 鈥淚 think all of this has helped us grow.鈥�
The Mexicans will open their World Cup campaign Thursday against South Africa at the Mexico City stadium.
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