Mexico 2026 World Cup Team Preview, Betting Odds, Predictions & Best Bets

By Anthony Blanco | Jun 08, 2026, 2:41pm

Mexico’s national team enters the 2026 World Cup looking to become the seventh team to win the tournament as a host country.

Mexico 2026 World Cup Betting Odds

To Win World Cup:
To Reach Final:
To Reach Semifinal:
To Reach Quarterfinal:
To Win Group A:
To Advance From Group:
Group: Group A
FIFA Rank: 15

Despite a largely successful international record since the last World Cup, Mexico still enters this year’s tournament as a significant underdog at +6000 to win it all. Based on those odds, the 2025 Nations League and Gold Cup winners are being given little to no chance to win the World Cup.

Mexico to reach the final, while still a long shot, is a much more likely scenario in the eyes of oddsmakers at +2250. Among the three host nations, Mexico holds the second-shortest odds behind the United States.

Mexico 2026 World Cup Best Bet

El Tri has arguably become CONCACAF’s most dangerous team after winning both the Nations League and the Gold Cup within the last year. While some may argue that Mexico’s opponents weren’t at full strength, Javier Aguirre’s squad looked exceptionally strong in both tournaments.

The experience of winning two major tournaments will bode well for Aguirre and co. as they host Group A at the 2026 World Cup. According to FIFA’s rankings, Mexico (15) is by far the best team in this group, with South Korea (25) being the closest to the hosts. Both South Africa and Czechia rank 60th and 41st, respectively.

Mexico should open as considerable favorites in all three group-stage matches and have no trouble taking care of all three opponents.

Best Bet: Mexico Group A Winner

Mexico 2026 World Cup Players to Watch

Mexico will feature many of the same players we saw at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. El Tri also has some young talent that will be making their World Cup debuts this Summer. Let’s take a look at some of Mexico’s players to watch at this year’s World Cup:

Gilberto Mora: At just 17-years-old, Mora is expected to play a significant role in Mexico’s World Cup run. The Club Tijuana wonderkid has 7 G/A from his attacking midfield position in Liga MX.

Mora will primarily serve as a complementary attacking option due to his versatility, playing either up front or in the midfield. The Mexican attacker has already gained the trust of Aguirre and could emerge as one of the tournament’s breakout young players if given opportunities.

Santiago Gimenez: Mexican attacker Gimenez will also make his World Cup debut later this Summer. The AC Milan forward has had an underwhelming season in Italy, but a strong showing in the World Cup could give the versatile attacker some confidence going forward.

Gimenez is expected to compete for minutes in this tournament; however, a strong showing and development over the next few years could make the 25-year-old Mexico’s go-to option up front.

Mexico World Cup History

Mexico’s 2022 World Cup run was cut short after failing to advance past the group stage. El Tri’s lone win of the tournament came against Saudi Arabia in the final match of the group stage. This marked the first time since 1978 that Mexico failed to advance to the knockout rounds in the World Cup.

Aguirre’s squad will hope to replicate the success Mexico enjoyed when hosting the World Cup in 1970 and 1986. El Tri managed to make the quarterfinals in each of the last two years that it hosted the tournament.

Photo Credit: AP/Andre Penner

Anthony Blanco

Anthony is a journalist based in South Florida who specializes in sports content. He has covered the NFL, NBA, UFL, March Madness, the World Cup, the English Premier League, La Liga, and the Champions League.