Mexico's Edoson Álvarez said that playing at home will also help the team try to at least reach the quarterfinals.

Korea and Mexico enjoyed a soccer brotherhood in 2018 after Kim Young-gwon and Son Heung-min’s stoppage time goals helped Mexico clinch passage to the knockout stage despite a 3-0 loss to Sweden. The good vibes only continued with Son arriving in Los Angeles to join LAFC, a club with a large Mexican fan base, this summer.

Mexico was drawn into a group with South Africa, South Korea and the UEFA Playoff D winner – Denmark, Ireland, Czech Republic or North Macedonia. El Tri will face South Africa in the tournament's opening match on June 11, 16 years after the two sides played the first game in the 2010 World Cup.

The man behind one of South Africa’s greatest football moments, Siphiwe Tshabalala, has welcomed Bafana’s 2026 World Cup opener against Mexico, calling it a “return leg” of their 2010 clash.

The Republic of Ireland will face hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea in Group A in the World Cup if they come through March's play-offs.