Aguirre Leverages 1986 Legends and Boxing Icon to Boost Mexico's World Cup Spirit

MEXICO CITY (AP) — As the countdown begins for the co-hosting of the World Cup, coach Javier Aguirre is focusing on more than just game strategies and fitness. He is orchestrating a psychological initiative aimed at igniting a passionate performance from the team on home ground.

To fuel this ambition, Mexico's base camp at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento has recently seen the arrival of notable figures, including members of the 1986 World Cup team and boxing legend Julio César Chávez. “The idols change, the uniforms evolve, but the pride of representing Mexico remains intact,” stated Mikel Arriola, commissioner of the Mexican Football Federation. He added that while the achievements of the '86 squad were remarkable, the upcoming 2026 event could potentially rival those memories.

Historically, Mexico's strongest World Cup performances occurred during their hosting years in 1970 and 1986, where they made it to the quarterfinals. Chávez, regarded as one of Mexico's greatest boxers with six world titles across three divisions, imparted motivating words to the players: “I hear people talking about reaching the fifth match, but I believe you are going to get much, much farther. It does not matter if your opponent is faster or stronger than you — dare to dream big.”

Mexico has faced challenges in recent World Cups, failing to progress beyond the round of 16 from 1994 to 2022, leading to a fixation on the so-called “fifth match,” or the quarterfinals. For the 2026 tournament, which will feature an expanded format of 48 teams and a new round of 32, advancing to the quarterfinals means teams must navigate through six matches.

Aguirre, who played as a midfielder in the 1986 World Cup, has emphasized the unique advantage of hosting the event and highlighted the significance of a standout performance. “We went to the anthropology museum, and it is marvelous. For the players, it was an incredible experience — they have to know where we come from,” Aguirre remarked, noting the positive reactions from the players during the visit.

Additionally, the Mexican Football Federation has brought back Spanish mental performance coach Imanol Ibarrondo, who previously worked with the team in 2018 and assisted Ecuador in 2022. “Imanol has done great work for us. We’ve had personal and group sessions, and we got to know each other better,” said 22-year-old defender Mateo Chavez, reflecting on the team's growth. Mexico will kick off their World Cup journey on Thursday against South Africa at the stadium in Mexico City.