Mexican Football President: World Cup Task Complete, Team in Players' Hands

Mikel Arriola, President of the Mexican Football Federation (FMF), declared that the national team's preparations for the 2026 World Cup are complete. "The task is done; now we are in the hands of Javier Aguirre and the players," Arriola stated in an interview, expressing confidence in the team's readiness for their debut against South Africa.

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The task is done; now we are in the hands of Javier Aguirre and the players.

Arriola detailed the specific conditions requested by head coach Javier Aguirre, who is leading the Tri for the third time. These included allowing the coach to select players from May 6 without club interference and arranging 50 additional matches beyond the standard FIFA calendar. "What Javier asked the clubs was 'give me the Liguilla without national team players so I can call them up on May 6.' Then, he wanted 50 more games than other countries, games outside the FIFA date, and that tells you that you are going to have a team that trained with its coach and played against similar teams," Arriola explained, emphasizing the thorough preparation.

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What Javier asked the clubs was 'give me the Liguilla without national team players so I can call them up on May 6.' Then, he wanted 50 more games than other countries, games outside the FIFA date, and that tells you that you are going to have a team that trained with its coach and played against similar teams.

Mexico's status as host nation provides significant advantages, according to Arriola. He pointed to the altitude of Mexico City, the home advantage at the Estadio Azteca and Estadio Guadalajara, and the recently renovated High-Performance Center. "Our newly renovated High-Performance Center has a recovery area with the most modern hyperbaric chambers in the world, and that is another advantage of being the host," he noted. Arriola believes these factors, combined with the team's extensive preparation, position Mexico favorably for the tournament.

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Our newly renovated High-Performance Center has a recovery area with the most modern hyperbaric chambers in the world, and that is another advantage of being the host.

Despite the perceived lack of a strong World Cup atmosphere among the public, Arriola focused on the global reach of the event. He anticipates that the opening match, hosted in Mexico City, will generate immense international attention. "It will be the day Mexico is talked about the most in aggregate terms because 6 billion people will watch it," he projected, underscoring the tournament's significance. Arriola aims to surpass the team's best performance, the quarterfinals in the 1986 World Cup held in Mexico.

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It will be the day Mexico is talked about the most in aggregate terms because 6 billion people will watch it.