Has Mexico ever won the World Cup? All about El Tri history and best finish at FIFA tournament
Mexico is one of the most recognisable nations in FIFA World Cup history, with a long tradition of competing on soccer’s biggest stage and boasting some of the tournament’s most passionate support.
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From iconic players and memorable victories to becoming the first nation to host three men’s FIFA World Cups, El Tri has played a significant role in the tournament’s history despite a relative lack of success.
How has Mexico generally performed at the FIFA World Cup? The Sporting News takes a closer look at El Tri’s record on the global stage.
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Has Mexico ever won the World Cup?
No. Mexico has never won the FIFA World Cup.
El Tri has appeared at the tournament 18 times, making it one of the most regular participants in World Cup history. However, the nation’s long wait for a first world title continues.
Mexico has enjoyed sustained success in CONCACAF competitions, but translating that into a deep World Cup run has proved far more challenging. Despite featuring in some of the tournament’s most memorable matches, it has yet to lift soccer’s biggest prize.
What is Mexico’s best World Cup finish?
Mexico’s best performance at the FIFA World Cup came in 1970 and 1986, when El Tri reached the quarterfinals.
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Both runs came on home soil. In 1970, Mexico was beaten 4-1 by Italy, while West Germany ended its 1986 campaign on penalties after a goalless draw.
Mexico record at the World Cup
Mexico has been a regular fixture at the FIFA World Cup for nearly a century, featuring more often than almost any nation outside the traditional global powers.
Here is El Tri’s complete World Cup record by tournament.
| Year | Host | Stage Reached | Eliminated by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Uruguay | Group Stage | — |
| 1950 | Brazil | Group Stage | — |
| 1954 | Switzerland | Group Stage | — |
| 1958 | Sweden | Group Stage | — |
| 1962 | Chile | Group Stage | — |
| 1966 | England | Group Stage | — |
| 1970 | Mexico | Quarterfinals | Italy (4-1) |
| 1978 | Argentina | Group Stage | — |
| 1986 | Mexico | Quarterfinals | West Germany (0-0)* |
| 1994 | United States | Round of 16 | Bulgaria (1-1)* |
| 1998 | France | Round of 16 | Germany (2-1) |
| 2002 | Japan & South Korea | Round of 16 | USA (2-0) |
| 2006 | Germany | Round of 16 | Argentina (2-1, aet) |
| 2010 | South Africa | Round of 16 | Argentina (3-1) |
| 2014 | Brazil | Round of 16 | Netherlands (2-1) |
| 2018 | Russia | Round of 16 | Brazil (2-0) |
| 2022 | Qatar | Group Stage | — |
| 2026 | Mexico, Canada, USA | TBD | TBD |
* Opponent won via penalty shootout
What was Mexico’s ‘quinto partido’ curse?
«Quinto partido» — Spanish for «fifth match» — became one of the defining phrases of Mexico’s World Cup history.
The term referred to El Tri’s repeated inability to move beyond the Round of 16. At a 32-team World Cup, reaching the quarterfinals meant playing a fifth match, giving rise to the now-famous phrase.
Between 1994 and 2018, Mexico was eliminated in the Round of 16 at seven consecutive World Cups, cementing the «quinto partido» as one of the country’s most enduring soccer frustrations.
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