Mexico will arrive at this summer time’s Copa America going through a novel conundrum: How does a group handle excessive stakes when the expectations are decrease than they’ve been in recent times?
As soon as the gold normal in North America, El Tri’s star has fallen after a batch of inconsistent outcomes and managerial chaos. The downward development might be traced way back to the 2022 World Cup, when their unimpressive pre-tournament outcomes have been a precursor to their group stage exit, marking the primary time they did not progress to the knockouts since 1990. Mexico are additionally on their third supervisor within the final two years — Gerardo Martinez left after the World Cup, whereas his successor Diego Cocca lasted simply seven video games earlier than he was fired. Jaime Lozano then took over and steadied the ship by successful final summer time’s Concacaf Gold Cup, however Mexico’s malaise returned quickly after.
The Copa America, in concept, presents Mexico an opportunity at a reset of their largest event for the reason that 2022 disappointment and forward of the 2026 World Cup that may partially happen on dwelling soil. Placing their latest struggles behind them is perhaps simpler mentioned than finished for El Tri, one thing the Mexico devoted appear to acknowledge — even when their excessive calls for haven’t wavered.
Forward of a event that might set the tone for Mexico’s highway to the 2026 World Cup, this is a have a look at their possibilities to impress.
A positive group
Mexico earned the luck of the draw by being positioned into one of many Copa America’s mildest teams alongside Jamaica, Venezuela and Ecuador. El Tri are the highest-ranked group in Group C, per the imperfect FIFA rankings, and are the oddsmakers’ favorites in every of their matches. Mexico even have a good file in opposition to lower-ranked opposition within the Western Hemisphere, just lately notching a 3-0 win over Panama and a 1-0 win over Bolivia. A positive draw, although, is a double-edged sword — as arguably the most effective group within the group, Mexico will really have to act prefer it with the intention to impress.
There are a number of areas to handle on the pitch to ensure Mexico are in peak kind by their first sport in opposition to Jamaica on Saturday, chief amongst them the assault. Their offense has been in stop-start kind in latest months, going goalless in three of their final eight video games, and El Tri additionally come to the Copa America and not using a confirmed goalscorer. Uriel Antuna is the chief for targets on the Copa roster with 13, whereas not one of the listed forwards — together with Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez — boast greater than six worldwide targets.
Lozano can have the flexibility to tinker, together with in aim as he explores the participant pool with out 38-year-old Guillermo Ochoa within the combine this time round, however he has restricted time to take action. The group stage would be the alternative to discover a functioning model of a younger Mexico group — or pay the worth for the shortcomings as quickly because the knockout levels arrive.
Make or break knockouts
Because the favorites to win Group B, a quarterfinal matchup in opposition to the runners-up in Group A — most probably Canada or Peru — awaits. The percentages may also swing in Mexico’s favor right here, however a top-quality efficiency will probably be demanded from El Tri because the enterprise finish of the event begins. It might not come, although — our Chuck Sales space predicts that Mexico will crash out within the group stage.
Ought to they make a run to the semifinals, although, a gathering with Lionel Messi’s Argentina is almost assured. Mexico would be the underdogs in opposition to the reigning World Cup winners, however their incapacity to carry out in opposition to high-ranking opposition suggests hassle could also be forward. El Tri have saved simply three clear sheets of their final eight, conceding a number of targets in losses to the U.S. within the Concacaf Nations League remaining, Brazil and Uruguay. They merely haven’t risen to the event in these top-tier matchups, simply wanting just like the inferior group every time.
No matter how deep their run on the Copa America is, although, the knockout rounds will probably outline Mexico’s event based mostly on the performances quite than the precise outcomes — particularly in the event that they face high-profile opposition. That would be the true measuring stick for Mexico’s progress forward of the 2026 World Cup, particularly after months of failing to offer their followers one thing to be optimistic about. Ought to they arrive out of this summer time’s event with one other run of unimpressive showings, it should solely ramp up stress on Lozano and firm to enhance with lower than two years to go till the World Cup on dwelling soil. Doing so, in such a short while body, is perhaps an insurmountable hurdle.
