World Cup Hero
Predict the 2026 World Cup your way
Mexico and United States are in different groups at the 2026 World Cup. A direct meeting can happen from the knockout stage onwards. On the FIFA ranking, Mexico are the favourite — a 1-place gap.
Concacaf-rivaliteit nummer 1. Vier keer eindigde een WK-kwalificatie op 2-0 voor VS in Columbus, Ohio.
| Mexico 🇲🇽 | Metric | 🇺🇸 United States |
|---|---|---|
| #15 | FIFA Ranking | #16 |
| Group A | Group | Group D |
| CONCACAF | Confederation | CONCACAF |
| Javier Aguirre | Head coach | Mauricio Pochettino |
| 17 | WC appearances | 11 |
| Quarter-final (1970, 1986) | Best WC | Third place (1930) |
Mexico open the 2026 World Cup at Estadio Azteca — for the third time host, a World Cup first. The crowd hopes for one thing: that this is the tournament where El Tri finally breaks the 'maldición del quinto partido'. Seven World Cups in a row they've fallen in the Round of 16. Aguirre is head coach for the third time — a veteran who knows the psychology. Lozano (Chucky), Edson Álvarez and Santiago Giménez form the core. Group A is favourable in principle: South Korea and Czechia are the real rivals, South Africa sits below them. On home soil, for 100,000 fans at Azteca, with the whole of Latin America watching: a quarter-final would be historic. Breaking the curse is the emotional goal of the whole tournament.
Main host. Imagine: the USA without a football culture suddenly hosting 78 matches across 11 stadiums. The pressure is enormous and is carried by Pochettino — Tottenham and Chelsea veteran, the first non-American head coach in years. The squad is deeper than ever: Pulisic at Milan, Balogun at Monaco, McKennie at Juventus. On home soil, with cheering home crowds (on the west coast where football really lives), a quarter-final is a serious ambition. A semi-final would be a milestone for American football. Against Paraguay, Türkiye and Australia in Group D, group top should be achieved. After that, mental resilience in knockouts counts — historically the Yanks' weak point.
Set your 10 sliders and decide which teams win according to your model — including this dream matchup.
Start predicting →Mexico and United States are not in the same group. A meeting can only happen from the knockout stage (Round of 16 onwards).
On the FIFA world ranking, Mexico (#15) are favoured over United States (#16). The gap is 1 ranking places.
Mexico: Quarter-final (1970, 1986) (17 World Cup appearances). United States: Third place (1930) (11 World Cup appearances).
Mexico are coached by Javier Aguirre. United States are coached by Mauricio Pochettino.
Mexico play in Group A. United States play in Group D.
Last updated: 2026-06-07