MEXICO CITY (AP) — World Cup co-host Mexico was optimistic about its chances of making it through the group stage after matches against South Africa, South Korea and yet-to-be-determined European teams were confirmed.
Some television analysts described the group as “easy,” but coach Javier Aguirre was more cautious.
“We played South Korea and they are not an easy team. They do their job. They are disciplined and organized, but South Africa are not easy either,” he said after the draw in Washington on Friday. “They’re a good team, but we have a chance. We’re part of the team at home.”
Mexico will face South Africa in the opening game of the 2026 World Cup on June 11 in Mexico City. A week later, El Tri will face South Korea in Guadalajara. The final game of the group stage will be against the winner of the European play-off, which included Denmark, North Macedonia, Czech Republic and Ireland.
The country has high hopes despite being eliminated in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup and having a dismal showing in international competition ahead of next year’s tournament.
Striker Raul Jimenez, who plays for Fulham in the Premier League, said: “No one is going to be easy against us, but it could have been a lot worse.” “I think this is a good group and we can learn a lot from them. Our hope is to win and finish in first place, so we’ll take it one game at a time.”
Mexico has faced South Korea twice in World Cup history, winning both games in France in 1998 and Russia in 2018. The two teams drew 2-2 in a friendly match last September.
Coach Aguirre said, “Basically, it’s a European team. Everyone except the goalkeeper is in Europe, the coach is familiar to me, and they’re physically strong, so we’ll be a very strong opponent.”
The only time Mexico and South Africa met in a World Cup was in the opening match of the 2010 tournament, which South Africa hosted, drawing 1-1. The Mexican team was coached by Aguirre, who is currently in his third coaching position.
Mexico hosted the World Cup in 1970 and 1986, reaching the quarterfinals both times. In the 1986 tournament, they lost to West Germany on penalties in the quarterfinals. Aguirre, who was part of Mexico’s national team, said the hot weather could be an advantage at next year’s tournament.
“I remember the 1986 World Cup against Germany. It was very hot. It will be a difficult situation for our opponents, but we will prepare at home,” said the 67-year-old coach. “We want our players who are currently playing outside of Mexico to come back quickly and be able to adapt.”
The tournament will be co-hosted by the United States and Canada, but Mexico is also hoping to get a boost by playing group stage games, and possibly some of the finals, at home.
“As one of the organizers, I feel a responsibility to put on this great event,” said team captain Edson Alvarez. “We rely on the extra support our fans give us and the opening game against South Africa will help us do great things.”
___
AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
