England’s World Cup opponents: Mexico in profile

Head coach: Javier Aguirre

Last meeting: England 3-1 Mexico, 24 May 2010

England will face Mexico for only the second time at the World Cup when the two nations meet in Sunday’s Round of 16 tie at Mexico City Stadium.

The first game was played almost 60 years ago, with Sir Alf Ramsey’s Three Lions defeating El Tri 2-0 at Wembley Stadium in the group stage of the 1966 World Cup. Bobby Charlton and Roger Hunt were on the scoresheet as England earned their first win on their way to lifting the trophy.

This is Mexico’s ninth consecutive appearance at the World Cup and a record third as either hosts or co-hosts, with the 1970 and 1986 tournaments having also been held in the Latin American country.

Mexico have never made it past the quarter-finals of the competition and were eliminated at the Round of 16 stage in seven straight World Cups between 1994 and 2018.

The head coach

After a disappointing group stage exit at the 2022 World Cup under Gerardo Martino, Mexico quickly turned to Diego Cocca and then Jaime Lozano to lead the team.

But in July 2024, El Tri made yet another managerial change, bringing back Javier Aguirre for a third spell in charge. He previously held the job between 2001 and 2002, and 2009 and 2010, and reached the round of 16 at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups.

The 67-year-old is a vastly experienced coach, having begun his career in the dugout back in 1995. As well as managing the likes of Atletico Madrid, Espanyol and Mallorca in Spain, he has also taken charge of Japan and Egypt at international level.

Aguirre is known for focusing on defensive solidity, with Mexico’s narrow front three supported by the full-backs. He has played a 4-3-3 formation in each of their World Cup fixtures so far.

Key players

Julián Quiñones has been the star of Mexico’s attack so far, scoring three times across the group stage and round of 32 to fire the co-hosts into Sunday’s clash with England.

The winger came into the tournament on the back of an incredible campaign for Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah, having netted 33 times to finish as the division’s top scorer.

Perhaps Mexico’s most recognisable name, Raúl Jiménez is enjoying life as their first-choice centre forward after scoring in the opening win over South Africa and knockout victory against Ecuador.

The veteran striker, who recovered from a life-threatening skull fracture sustained playing for Wolves in 2020, is playing in his fourth World Cup, but the game against Bafana Bafana was his first ever start, and he delivered his first goal.

While Jiménez brings serious experience, Gilberto Mora is the face of Mexico’s new generation having become their youngest player in World Cup history this summer.

Against Ecuador, the 17-year-old became the youngest player to start a knockout game since Brazil legend Pele in 1958, and hopes are high that he can be a star of the future.

Recent results

Mexico head into Sunday’s game having won all four of their World Cup fixtures without conceding a goal.

As one of the co-hosts, El Tri kicked off the tournament against South Africa at Mexico City Stadium with a 2-0 victory courtesy of goals from Quiñones and Jiménez. Yaya Sitole and Themba Zwane saw red for Bafana Bafana, with Mexico’s Cesar Montes also sent off late on.

Aguirre’s side followed up their opening win with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over South Korea. Played at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico, the game saw Luis Romo grab the only goal of the game shortly after half-time.

Having already qualified in top spot, Mexico refused to let up in their final group stage game against Czechia. Goals from Mateo Chávez and Quiñones inside six second-half minutes put the hosts in control, before Álvaro Fidalgo’s injury time strike sealed a comfortable 3-0 win.

El Tri were paired with Ecuador in the Round of 32, coming up against the South Americans at Mexico City Stadium for their third World Cup game at the national stadium.

They continued their impressive form with a 2-0 win to reach the Round of 16 - their first World Cup knockout victory in 40 years. Quiñones opened the scoring with his third goal of the tournament, before Jiménez notched his second with a well-taken finish.

Mexico’s World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Raul Rangel (Guadalajara), Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol), Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna).

Defenders: Jorge Sanchez (PAOK), Israel Reyes (Club America), Cesar Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Johan Vasquez (Genoa), Jesus Gallardo (Toluca), Mateo Chavez (AZ).

Midfielders: Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Orbelin Pineda (AEK Athens), Alvaro Fidalgo (Real Betis), Roberto Alvarado, Brian Gutierrez, Luis Romo (Guadalajara), Edson Alvarez (West Ham), Obed Vargas (Atletico Madrid), Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), Luis Chavez (Dynamo Moscow).

Forwards: Cesar Huerta (Anderlecht), Alexis Vega (Toluca), Julian Quinones (Al-Qadsiah), Guillermo Martinez (UNAM), Armando Gonzalez (Guadalajara), Santiago Gimenez (AC Milan), Raul Jimenez (Fulham).