Duilio Davino, director of Mexico's national teams, appeared calm and unconcerned after learning that El Tri will play the opening match of the 2026 World Cup against South Africa in the afternoon, and the second and third matches in Guadalajara and Mexico City in the evening.

Interviewed after learning the schedule for next year's World Cup, which will be played for the first time in three countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada, Davino highlighted the importance of the altitude and heat for the opening match against South Africa.

“The times are reassuring; this allows us to finalize travel logistics and all the preparations. I think the opening match at 1:00 pm in Mexico City is important, and the last two matches at 7:00 pm will give us a chance to advance from the group stage. I think we're calm and happy,” he emphasized.

Regarding the advantage the team might have over the South African team given the 1:00 pm kickoff time and Mexico City's altitude, Davino explained: “We have to play to our strengths, of course, with our stadium, our fans, the city's altitude, and we'll see about the weather. “so they need to adapt quickly.” "This could work in our favor." Regarding the altitude, I have emphasized the importance of the Mexican team preparing under these conditions for as long as possible, while also trying to get the players who play in Europe and other leagues to join the training camp as soon as possible. "With the altitude issue, we want to have the team in Mexico City for as long as possible. The local players will have more preparation time, and as Javier mentioned yesterday, we'll try to get them to arrive as soon as possible so they're physically ready," he said.

Regarding the third match, when asked directly about the summer conditions in Mexico City and Guadalajara, where it rains heavily in the afternoons, which could be a handicap for the Mexican team.

“In the end, it affects both teams,but in the afternoon, especially in Mexico City, regarding the rain, let's hope it doesn't rain, so we can have a good show. Well, if it does rain, we have to face it and be ready for all the factors that the weather might bring," he mentioned.

They're only thinking about the opening game

Davino was asked about the possibility of facing England in a potential Round of 16 match and said that they haven't even considered it, as their focus is on the opening game. He added that England's group in the World Cup is complicated, and winning their group is not guaranteed.

“We haven't imagined anything, honestly, we're thinking about the first game.” "Besides, England is also in a tough group, so I think we just need to focus on the first match; I'm not getting ahead of myself," he said. He also declined to comment on the matches already being discussed for January, February, and June, such as those against Panama, Bolivia, Iceland, and Argentina, in addition to the FIFA dates in March against Portugal and Belgium. "The January schedule is well underway, and February is almost finalized. We can't just jump in, but we already have an idea of ??which teams we might play," he clarified. To conclude, he said that the only message he could give to the fans is that the matches are very difficult and that they will fight to be competitive at all times. "The matches are very difficult; that's definitely the message for the fans. We hope for their support, and we are committed to going out and winning every game," he finished. Besides, the World Cup group England is in is complicated, and winning their group isn't guaranteed.

“We haven't imagined anything, honestly, no. We're thinking about the first match. Furthermore, England is also in a tough group, so I think we just have to focus on the first match. We're not getting ahead of ourselves,” he said.

He also didn't want to comment on the matches already being discussed for January, February, and June, such as the possible matches against Panama, Bolivia, Iceland, and Argentina, in addition to the FIFA dates in March against Portugal and Belgium.

“The January schedule is very far along, and February is almost finalized. We can't just go for it, but we already have an idea of ??which teams might be available,” he specified.

To conclude, he said that the only message he could give to the fans is that the matches are very difficult and that they will fight to be competitive at all times.

“The matches are very difficult; that's definitely the message for the fans, and we hope for their "Support and where we have the commitment to go out and win every game," he concluded.Besides, the World Cup group England is in is complicated,and winning their group isn't guaranteed.

“We haven't imagined anything, honestly, no. We're thinking about the first match. Besides, England is also in a tough group, so I think we just have to focus on the first match. We're not getting ahead of ourselves,” he said.

He also didn't want to comment on the matches already being discussed for January, February, and June, such as the possible matches against Panama, Bolivia, Iceland, and Argentina, in addition to the FIFA dates in March against Portugal and Belgium.

“The January schedule is very far along, and February is almost finalized. We can't just go for it, but we already have an idea of ??which teams might be available,” he specified.

To conclude, he said that the only message he could give to the fans is that the matches are very difficult and that they will fight to be competitive at all times.

“The matches are very difficult; that's definitely the message for the fans, and we hope for their "Support and where we have the commitment to go out and win every game," he concluded.