There’s No Team Scarier Than Mexico At The Azteca

Heading into the 2026 World Cup, the Mexican national team had one mission: Finish first in Group A. Beyond the obvious motivation to not lose a game, finishing top of the group guaranteed that El Tri would not leave the terrifying confines of the Estadio Azteca until the quarter-final round.

It's impossible to overstate how powerful the home field advantage is for Mexico at the Azteca; in 89 competitive games there, Mexico has lost exactly two games.

Two!! (In case you are wondering, 2001 to Costa Rica in World Cup qualifying, and 2013 to Honduras, also in World Cup qualifying.) In the World Cup itself, the advantage is even greater.

Heading into Tuesday night's game against Ecuador, Mexico had won seven and drawn two of its previous nine World Cup games at Azteca.

Mexico did win Group A, and thus they were able to steamroll Ecuador, 2-0, in last night's elimination game.

Not even Ecuador's familiarity with playing at altitude could save them from Mexico's tenacity and the energizing effects the team always seems to draw from the raucous Azteca crowd.