The technical director of the Mexican national team, Javier Aguirre, made it clear that his team arrives convinced of being able to beat England in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, although he acknowledged that it will be necessary to offer one of its best games to get a place in the next round.

“If I didn't believe we could beat the English, I would say so, but I think it will be an even match and whoever makes the fewest mistakes will come out ahead,” the strategist said at a press conference.

“We must play an almost perfect game”

Aguirre described the duel against England as an opportunity to measure the true level of the Mexican team against one of the strongest teams in the tournament.

"This duel has one ingredient, facing the four in the world, according to FIFA, the 1966 world champion team, with a great league that nourishes the team. We must play an almost perfect match, play better than we have done and be lucky," he added.

The coach also highlighted the evolution of the team led by Thomas Tuchel, considering that it combines physical strength with greater tactical variety.

"Before they overwhelmed with long balls and body to body. Today they do that and if it doesn't work, they try other alternatives," he explained.

The plan to contain Harry Kane

One of the main challenges for the Mexican team will be to stop Harry Kane, who arrives as England's offensive reference and one of the scorers of the 2026 World Cup.

"Harry Kane is a world figure; he has everything, he is sacrificed and he defends. Tomorrow we will try to neutralize him with the centre-backs, with the midfielder and with the help of the full-backs, so that he always has someone on top so that he cannot play his game," the strategist revealed.

The atmosphere in the Mexico team, one of the keys to the tournament

Beyond the football aspect, Javier Aguirre highlighted the commitment he has found within the group and assured that the atmosphere has been decisive during the competition.

"We had good preparation and enough time to choose players who put themselves at the service of the team, leaving their ego aside; being humble. We will go out eleven against eleven and anything can happen," he insisted.

The coach also spoke about the discipline of the squad and the sense of belonging that the national team has recovered.

"He also highlighted how it became a pride to be a member of the national team. Now they fight to come and want to represent their country; before it was not always like that," he added.

Mexico seeks to return to the quarterfinals

The Mexican team will try to advance to the quarterfinals again in a World Cup played as hosts, after achieving it in the 1970 and 1986 editions.

"I don't know if tomorrow's game is going to be the most important game in our history; there were others before," concluded Javier Aguirre.