It is fair to say that Mexico appear to have something of a curse hanging over them when it comes to their performances at the World Cup.

They have not gone further than the round of 16 in 28 years, but have equally not failed to reach the knockout rounds in that time either - a relatively impressive statistic, most would say.

But there is the sense that they have the potential for much more, and with their group consisting of Argentina, Saudi Arabia and Poland, they will certainly be hoping to at least make it out of Group C.

An opening game against Poland provides a fairly tricky start, before they face arguably their toughest test against Lionel Messi and Argentina, rounding off their group stage campaign playing Saudi Arabia.

Qualification Path

It is well known that CONCACAF's qualification process for the World Cup is one of the most gruelling, with just three guaranteed slots available for the 34 teams in the entire confederation, as well as one play-off spot.

Fortunately for Mexico, they were able to skip the first two rounds of the process, being one of the top five FIFA-ranked sides in their confederation, but it did still require them to play no fewer than 14 matches.

Jorge Sanchez celebrates with teammates after scoring the first goal during the match between Mexico and Canada (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
Jorge Sanchez celebrates with teammates after scoring the first goal during the match between Mexico and Canada (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

They took place across a period of seven months, in which a group of eight teams played one another home and away, creating a final table, where the top three nations then qualify directly to the final tournament.

Mexico finished in second place, only behind first place Canada on goal difference, losing just two of their 14 games, to the aforementioned Canada and the United States respectively.

Key Moments in History

As referenced a little earlier, Mexico have had a somewhat frustrating relationship with the World Cup in recent history, losing in the round of 16 in every single tournament since 1994.

Prior to that, their best ever performances have both come when they have been hosts of the tournament, in 1970 and 1986, when on both occasion they reached the quarter finals before bowing out.

That said, in 1970 there was no round of 16, meaning 1986 remains their statistically best performance, as they went out to West Germany - the eventual runners up - on penalties after a 0-0 draw across 120 minutes.

Mexico players celebrate with the CONCACAF <strong><a  data-cke-saved-href='https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2014/05/28/354621.html' href='https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2014/05/28/354621.html'>Gold Cup</a></strong> trophy after their 1-0 victory over USA in the 2019 CONCACAF <strong><a  data-cke-saved-href='https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2014/05/28/354621.html' href='https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2014/05/28/354621.html'>Gold Cup</a></strong> Final (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
Mexico players celebrate with the CONCACAF Gold Cup trophy after their 1-0 victory over USA in the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)

Outside of the World Cup however, they have been more successful in getting deeper into competitions, being the most successful country in the CONCACAF region, winning 11 confederation titles (three Gold Cups and eight of the previous version, known as the CONCACAF Championship).

Their most recent silverware came in 2019, when they won the Gold Cup agains the United States, thanks to a Jonathan dos Santos goal in the final, hosted in Chicago.

Player to Watch

It may not have been the most exciting past few years in the history of Mexican football, but their squad does still contain plenty of exciting players, not least the man nicknamed 'Chucky', Hirving Lozano.

The 27-year-old has plied his trade at three different clubs during his career - Pachuca, PSV and, as of now, Napoli - and he has been a threat in front of goal at all of them.

His reputation in Europe may have gone somewhat under the radar in recent years, owing to a lack of appearances in the 2019-20 season, and some subpar performances in the following two campaigns, but his performances for his national team supersede temporary club form.

Hirving Lozano celebrates after scoring during the 2018 FIFA <strong><a  data-cke-saved-href='https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2022/10/19/1126826-qatar-world-cup-2022-preview-how-will-the-hosts-fare-in-their-first-ever-world-cup.html' href='https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2022/10/19/1126826-qatar-world-cup-2022-preview-how-will-the-hosts-fare-in-their-first-ever-world-cup.html'>World Cup</a></strong> match between Germany and Mexico (Photo by David Ramos - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Hirving Lozano celebrates after scoring during the 2018 FIFA World Cup match between Germany and Mexico (Photo by David Ramos - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

A popular figure back home, he has notched 16 goals in 59 appearances for El Tri, including a famous strike against Germany at the 2018 World Cup, when the Central American side beat the then-World Champions in their opening game.

How he fares at the upcoming tournament remains to be seen, but if anyone can inject some life into a somewhat faltering side managed by Gerardo Martino, it is Lozano.

Expected Lineup

Ochoa; Sanchez, Araujo, Montes, Gallardo; Rodriguez, Alvarez, Guardado; Lozano, Martin, Vega

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa gives instructions to his teammates in the first half of a friendly soccer match at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022. (Photo by Ray Chavez/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images)
Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa gives instructions to his teammates (Photo by Ray Chavez/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images)

Will the Round of 16 curse be broken?

It has become something of a joke amongst Mexicans that their fate for the World Cup has already been sealed before they even kick a ball - it will be, as usual, a round of 16 exit, likely after finishing second in the group.

Whether ironic or not, the pattern is certainly there, and it does not make for particularly pleasant reading for Mexico fans, with their progress every four years seemingly always having been written ahead of time.

TOLUCA, MEXICO - OCTOBER 26: <strong><a  data-cke-saved-href='https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2013/07/21/spain-la-liga/251367-getting-to-know-gerardo-martino.html' href='https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2013/07/21/spain-la-liga/251367-getting-to-know-gerardo-martino.html'>Gerardo Martino</a></strong> head coach of Mexico gestures during the announcement of Mexico's provisional squad for the FIFA <strong><a  data-cke-saved-href='https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2022/10/15/1126438-tunisia-world-cup-2022-preview-can-jalel-kadri-make-tunisian-history.html' href='https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2022/10/15/1126438-tunisia-world-cup-2022-preview-can-jalel-kadri-make-tunisian-history.html'>World Cup</a></strong> Qatar 2022 at FEMEXFUT Headquarters on October 26, 2022 in Toluca, Mexico. The final list will be announced on November 14 with Martino reducing the number from 31 to 26 players. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)
Gerardo Martino announces the Mexico squad for the 2022 World Cup. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)

Confidence is lower than it has been for some time too; whilst Gerardo Martino did get off to a strong start as manager by winning the 2019 Gold Cup, it has been mediocre ever since, with qualification for the World Cup requiring tight wins against sides they really ought to have beaten by a greater margin.

For that reason, the biggest talking point surrounding the Mexican team's obsession with exiting at the round of 16 appears not to be whether they will go further, but whether they will even get that far at all.

Prediction

In truth, this ought to be one of the easiest predictions possible - it will be the same as it always has been.

But really, it does not seem as simple as that, at least not when you dig a little deeper into the dynamics of the Mexico national team heading into this year's tournament.

Morale seems to be low, albeit not catastrophically so, with a far more apathetic attitude to the side being presented by fans, who have a global reputation for travelling in great numbers to major tournaments.

Getting through the group will be no easy task - Argentina are the obvious favourites for first place, and Saudi Arabia are expected to prop up the table at the bottom, but splitting Mexico and Poland is a tough choice.

It could then come down to both team's opening game in Qatar, on Tuesday 22 November, as to who gets through to the knockout rounds; from then onwards, it may depend heavily on who they face in the round of 16.

For that reason, predicting how Mexico will do at this World Cup is a near-impossible task, but if it is a disappointing showing, at least they know that in four years' time they will be hosts again - and that usually brings success.

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 13: FIFA president Gianni Infantino (r) poses with the United 2026 bid (Canada, Mexico, US) officials: Left-Right Sunil Gulati president of the <strong><a  data-cke-saved-href='https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2022/10/15/1126371-wales-world-cup-2022-preview-could-a-group-b-upset-be-on-the-horizon.html' href='https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2022/10/15/1126371-wales-world-cup-2022-preview-could-a-group-b-upset-be-on-the-horizon.html'>United States</a></strong> Soccer Federation, CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani, president of the Mexican Football Association Decio de Maria Serrano, president of the <strong><a  data-cke-saved-href='https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2022/10/15/1126371-wales-world-cup-2022-preview-could-a-group-b-upset-be-on-the-horizon.html' href='https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2022/10/15/1126371-wales-world-cup-2022-preview-could-a-group-b-upset-be-on-the-horizon.html'>United States</a></strong> Football Association Carlos Cordeiro and Steve Reed president of the Canadian Soccer Association after the announcement of the host for the 2026 FIFA World Cup went to United 2026 bid during the 68th FIFA Congress at Moscow's Expocentre on June 13, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Mike Hewitt - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
FIFA president Gianni Infantino poses with the United 2026 bid (Canada, Mexico, US) officials: after the announcement of the host for the 2026 FIFA World Cup went to United 2026 bid  (Photo by Mike Hewitt - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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