Mexico
The Men in Green are a formidable force on their home soil, where they will play all their group games this summer.
Mexico’s track record in the World Cup, spanning 17 appearances, does not immediately indicate a clear path to victory this time. Their best finishes came in 1970 and 1986, when El Tri reached the quarterfinals. However, both underwhelming results were achieved on home turf, which fuels optimism as Mexico gears up to host again.
The question remains: Can they replicate those quarterfinal finishes? If they secure the top spot in Group A by defeating South Africa and South Korea, they may find themselves facing England in a potential last-16 clash, which could be a significant challenge for their advancement.
Initially, they must focus on advancing from their group. They possess the talent to achieve this: Captain Raúl Jiménez has had another solid season in the English Premier League with Fulham, and much of the team’s hopes rest on his performance.
He is expected to be supported by wingers Roberto Alvarado and Alexis Vega; this trio led Mexico to Gold Cup victory last year, giving them crucial experience in high-pressure matches. Other notable attacking talents include Germán Berterame, who recently joined Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, as well as Chivas players Efraín Álvarez and Armando González, alongside Hirving Lozano. In midfield, Fenerbahçe’s Edson Alvarez and Marcel Ruiz play key roles in winning possession and transitioning the ball to offensive players.
On defense, Julián Araujo has showcased his skills at Scottish club Celtic in recent months, while the center-back duo of Johan Vásquez and Cesar Montes offers a dependable presence. In goal, Luis Ángel Malagón was impressive during last year’s Gold Cup but has not maintained that form this season. The return of veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, known as the “Mexican Jesus,” now at 40, could add an intriguing storyline to the tournament as he seeks to extend his impressive 151-cap record while playing in the Cypriot First Division.
Canada
After scoring their first-ever goal in a final at the last World Cup, thanks to Alphonso Davies, Canada aims to achieve two major goals this summer: secure their first win and possibly advance from the group stage with additional victories or draws.
This year’s opportunity seems favorable for Les Rouges. As tournament cohosts, they hold a top-seed ranking, which allows them to avoid competing against some of the tournament’s favorites. Additionally, they have been paired with Switzerland from the second-seed pot, sidestepping tough opponents like Croatia, Uruguay, Morocco, and Senegal.
While Switzerland presents a challenge, head coach Jesse Marsch feels optimistic about facing Granit Xhaka and his teammates. A positive result in their opening match on June 12 against Bosnia and Herzegovina could set the stage for their pivotal game against Qatar six days later.
Captain Davies will be crucial to Canada’s success. The dynamic left back stands as the team’s standout player and has just returned from an ACL injury. His performance is essential for the team’s ambitions. Additionally, striker Jonathan David, although experiencing a tough debut season with Juventus after five successful years at Lille, remains a key scoring threat if given adequate support. Marsch will rely on players like Tajon Buchanan, Cyle Larin, and Ali Ahmed, along with the creative midfield pairing of Ismaël Koné and Stephen Eustáquio, to provide the necessary assists.
However, defensive uncertainties remain. The goalkeeper position is yet to be settled, with Dayne St. Clair and Maxime Crépeau both having inconsistent seasons in the MLS. Moïse Bombito adds stability at center back, but the question is who will partner with him. The duo of Derek Cornelius (Rangers) and Alfie Jones (Middlesbrough) appears to be favored heading into the tournament.
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