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After coming from behind against DR Congo, England secured their place in the Round of 16, where it will face Mexico. However, head coach Thomas Tuchel has serious problems, as he will be without Reece James for a third consecutive match. Despite their performances being far from their best, England have managed to secure their place in the Round of 16, where they will face Mexico. With one of the best rosters in the tournament, they enter the match under pressure to come away with the victory. However, Javier Aguirre’s team have proven to be very dangerous on the counterattack through the flanks. In addition, head coach Thomas Tuchel will be without Reece James at right back. Reece James has been diagnosed with a hamstring injury after England’s clash against Ghana. While nearly two weeks have already passed, he did not take part in the national team’s latest training session. For that reason, Thomas Tuchel has not been able to count on him as a starter, but he will still be on bench, having chances of getting playing time. If England advance to the quarterfinals, Reece could return to the starting lineup at the 2026 World Cup, as he has already revealed that he is feeling good in his recovery. With this, Thomas Tuchel’s team would regain solidity on the right flank, as James is one of the best right backs in the world, being solid both defensively and offensively. However, he would still need to return to full team training and continue progressing in his physical condition. In Reece James’ spot, England have turned to Jarell Quansah, as Djed Spence is reportedly dealing with physical discomfort. Although he missed the last match due to an ankle injury, Thomas Tuchel revealed that he is fully fit. As a key defensive player, he would be crucial in containing Julián Quiñones’ counterattacks. In addition, he impressed against Panama, showing both defensive and offensive solidity. Antoine Semenyo #11 of Ghana attempts to shoot, blocked by Reece James #24 of England. Reece James’ absence could bring out the best in Julian Quiñones In England’s previous match, Thomas Tuchel opted for Djed Spence, looking to add more attacking threat. However, he repeatedly left spaces behind him, which Cape Verde exploited on the counterattack. Although Quansah will start at right back, he does not offer the same defensive right-back level as Reece James. With this in mind, Julián Quiñones could shine on the wing for Mexico. Throughout the 2026 World Cup, Julián Quiñones has imposes one of the tournament’s most decisive wingers. With his dribbling and pace, he consistently wins one-on-one duels against his opponents. Facing Quansah, who is only just returning from injury, he could produce one of his best performances. In addition, Roberto Alvarado could play a key role in maximizing his impact by becoming a crucial partner in creating attacking moves.
Thomas Tuchel’s team can tame the co-hosts by slowing things down and isolating Raúl Jiménez One of the question marks over Mexico’s team before this World Cup centred on a shortage of obvious star quality. That accusation does not hold any more. Gilberto Mora does not turn 18 until October but has played with the authority of a veteran since Javier Aguirre answered a nation’s prayers and plunged him into the starting lineup. Against Czechia and Ecuador he made a huge difference, adding depth and daring to Mexico’s previously functional attacking patterns. He was happy to get stuck in against a midfield that included Chelsea’s Moisés Caicedo, knowing he had solid backup from the more defensive Érik Lira. Mora has been compared with Andrés Iniesta; he certainly has the former Barcelona player’s quick feet and deftness of touch, and England will have to be wary of his right-sided combinations with Jorge Sánchez and the winger Roberto Alvarado. Continue reading...
Mexico secured a crucial 2-0 win over Ecuador in the Round of 32 and booked a place among the 16 best teams at the 2026 World Cup. Mexico didn’t disappoint in front of their own fans at Mexico City Stadium, turning in a strong performance to beat Ecuador 2-0 and book their place in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. The co-hosts broke the deadlock through a well-worked attacking move that caught Ecuador off guard. Roberto Alvarado slipped a pass into space to spring Julian Quiñones, who took the ball in stride and fired it past goalkeeper Hernan Galindez to open the scoring — his third goal of the tournament. El Tri doubled their advantage soon after, when brilliant interplay between Quiñones and Raul Jiménez carved out space at the edge of the box, allowing Jiménez to curl a finish into the top corner to seal the game and give his team a spot in the next round. With the win, Javier Aguirre’s men keep alive their bid to match or better Mexico‘s best-ever World Cup showings, the quarterfinal runs they produced as hosts back in 1970 and 1986. ¡MÉXICO A OCTAVOS DE FINAL! 😤El verde seguirá pintando esta Copa del Mundo. TODOS JUNTOS.¡Vamooooooos! 👊#SomosMéxico 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/HhTNuFVkZR— Selección Nacional (@miseleccionmx) July 1, 2026 Mexico’s Round of 16 rival and venue After defeating Ecuador, Mexico will face the winner of England and DR Congo in the Round of 16 on July 5 at Mexico City Stadium, keeping El Tri on home turf for a second straight knockout match. On paper, England would appear to be the likely next opponent, as clear favorites over the African side. Should they come out on top, Mexico would have a chance at revenge, as the two sides have met only once before at a World Cup, back in 1966, when the Europeans won 2-0 in the group stage. If DR Congo pull off the upset, it would mark their first-ever World Cup meeting with Mexico. The two sides do have one prior meeting, though, a 2006 friendly that the North Americans won 2-1 in the buildup to that year’s World Cup in Germany.
Despite once being regarded as one of Mexico's brightest prospects, Diego Lainez has been left out of the 2026 World Cup squad. While he is an undisputed starter for Tigres UANL, head coach Javier Aguirre has decided not to include him in his plans since January 2026. Following Javier Aguirre’s arrival, Mexico have managed to reestablish as one of the best national teams in CONCACAF. By relying on young players, they have built a roster that is well balanced between experience and youth. However, Diego Lainez has been left out of the 2026 World Cup roster, going from being one of the country’s brightest prospects to being overlooked by the head coach. Diego Lainez managed to regain consistency after joining Tigres UANL. Although he failed to shine in Europe, he became an undisputed starter for his club, excelling as a right winger. Across 49 matches, the 26-year-old star has recorded 6 goals and 9 assists, establishing as a fairly consistent player in the league. However, he has not returned to the Mexico national team since January 2026. Head coach Javier Aguirre has decided to radically change his attacking approach, leaving out Lainez, who failed to stand out within his roster. While he has enjoyed plenty of playing time at Tigres UANL, he has not been a notably productive player. In addition, he is not a player who particularly shines at a collective level, meaning his last appearance for the national team came in the friendly against Bolivia. Who will take Diego Lainez’s place on the Mexican national team? Throughout Mexico’s most recent matches, Javier Aguirre has favored players who provide a strong pressing presence. Because of this, Diego Lainez’s absence becomes quite understandable. In his place, the head coach has decided to rely on Roberto Alvarado, who shines for Chivas Guadalajara and contributes significantly to the collective play, helping to elevate the performances of his teammates. Diego Lainez of Mexico looks on. Ahead the 2026 World Cup, Aguirre could also rely on César Huerta as the backup option on the right wing. At just 25 years old, he has shone at Anderlecht and adapted impeccably to Mexico’s collective needs. However, both players need to step up and increase their productivity, as there does not appear to be an undisputed starter in that position. If Diego Lainez wants to regain his place in the Mexico under Javier Aguirre, he would need to improve his defensive work rate, which has been quite limited with the national side. In addition, he may need to recover his best form in terms of end product. At just 26 years old, he still has a chance of returning to the team in the future, but he would need to evolve his game to better fit the collective needs of the squad.
Full preview of Mexico for the 2026 tournament, including squad breakdown, key players, and tactical analysis of their chances. As the most prominent of the three co-hosts for the 2026 global tournament, Mexico faces immense pressure to outperform the United States and Canada. Currently ranked 15th globally, El Tri aims to erase the disappointment of their early exit in 2022 and reestablish themselves as the dominant force in North America. Following a successful 2025 Gold Cup campaign, the team has found renewed stability. This World Cup 2026 team preview explores the squad’s realistic chances on home soil. As one of the most closely watched international soccer teams 2026 has to offer, we will break down their defensive tactical setup, the leadership of their veteran coach, the depth of their roster, and their outlook in the group stage. Team profile CoachJavier AguirreCaptainEdson AlvarezNicknameEl Tri, El TricolorFIFA Ranking15thConfederationCONCACAFGroupGroup ABest Tournament ResultQuarter-finals (1970, 1986)Tournament Appearances18Last Appearance2022 (Group Stage) How Mexico play Under their current leadership, Mexico has transitioned away from a purely expansive attacking style toward a more pragmatic 4-3-3 Mexico formation. This system is specifically designed to handle the grueling physical demands of international tournament soccer. In possession, the team relies heavily on their central striker dropping deep to hold up play and distribute the ball to direct, pacey wingers. Defensively, El Tri prioritizes a solid structure over high-risk pressing. They showcased this defensive organization during the 2025 Gold Cup, allowing just 2.1 expected goals against (xGA) throughout the competition and keeping four clean sheets. The team often struggles to generate central creativity from the midfield, placing a heavy burden on wide players like Roberto Alvarado to cut inside and create scoring opportunities. Without a reliable link between the defense and the forward line, the attack can look disjointed against opponents utilizing a low defensive block. This pragmatic approach could make them tough to break down but might limit their scoring potential in tight knockout matches. Javier Aguirre: The coach behind Mexico Javier Aguirre is currently in his third stint managing the national team. Hired in mid-2024 to stabilize a struggling program, the Mexico coach immediately injected defensive discipline and a clear identity into the squad. The veteran manager brings extensive international experience, having previously guided El Tri through two successful qualification cycles. As a player, he earned 59 caps and represented his country during the 1986 tournament on home soil. Javier Aguirre, coach of Mexico (Hector Vivas/Getty Images) Aguirre is widely respected for his pragmatic approach and ability to organize teams quickly. Under his direction, Mexico reclaimed regional dominance by winning the 2025 Nations League and Gold Cup. His leadership will be crucial in helping the team navigate the immense pressure of playing in front of expectant home crowds. Key player: Raul Jimenez Raul Jimenez remains the most critical component of the Mexican attack. When discussing Mexico key players, the 34-year-old striker stands out, having earned 123 caps and scored 44 goals for his country, placing him third on their all-time scoring list. Entering the summer tournament, Jimenez is in excellent form. He netted 24 goals across all competitions over his last two club seasons and scored seven times in seven competitive international matches in 2025. His aerial ability, clinical finishing, and defensive work rate make him an ideal fit for the national team’s system. Tactically, Jimenez is the focal point. His ability to pull opposing center-backs out of position creates crucial space for wide attackers. If he were to suffer an injury, the team lacks another proven goalscorer with the same physical presence, which would severely hinder their atta
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