For supporters following both BD Cricket and the World Cup, Mexico have emerged as the tournament’s genuine dark horse. With the 2026 World Cup reaching the round of 32, the co-hosts have finally shown their full potential. Backed by home advantage, passionate support and a highly capable squad, the team nicknamed the Sombrero Army have been unstoppable across their first four matches. Mexico have won every game, scored eight goals and conceded none. An average of two goals per match may not seem extraordinary, but only two teams have kept clean sheets throughout the tournament so far. By that measure, Mexico have even outperformed title favourites Spain.
Mexico continued their impressive run in the newly completed round-of-32 clash against Ecuador. Julian Quinones opened the scoring in the 22nd minute before Raul Jimenez doubled the lead nine minutes later. Those two first-half goals were enough to send Mexico comfortably into the last 16. The country’s best World Cup result remains a place in the quarter-finals, meaning the current team are now just one victory away from matching that historic achievement. Their opponent in the next round could well be England.
Four consecutive victories, eight goals scored and none conceded underline just how impressive Mexico have been. During the group stage, they collected three wins from three matches, scoring six times without allowing a single goal. Among the 48 participating nations, only Mexico and Spain completed the group phase without conceding. Yet even the team known as La Roja could not match Mexico’s overall numbers.
Spain finished with two wins and one draw, collecting seven points while scoring five goals and conceding none. Mexico scored one more goal and earned two additional points. When assessing the strongest team of the group stage, Mexico could modestly claim second place and still leave no obvious candidate for first. Even France, widely regarded as the leading contender for the trophy, conceded twice in their opening three matches.
That is what makes Mexico such a convincing dark horse. Their football may not always be spectacular, but it is practical, disciplined and extremely effective. They were not among the leading favourites before the competition, yet no opponent can afford to take them lightly. Home advantage has added another layer of strength, turning the Sombrero Army into a side protected by something closer to an iron helmet.
Amid the excitement surrounding BD Cricket, Mexico’s balance of skill and resilience has also captured attention across the wider sporting world. Their style sits somewhere between South American flair and European structure. Mexican players possess the technique and toughness commonly associated with South American football, while also displaying the tactical discipline, stamina and organisation often found among Europe’s strongest teams.
Their only obvious weakness may be a lack of height. Even so, England or Brazil would need to think very carefully about how to approach a possible meeting with Mexico. Any team that underestimates them could quickly find itself heading home. Mexico do not dominate every match through dazzling possession, but they defend as a unit, choose their moments wisely and rarely waste important opportunities.
With Mexico included, seven places in the last 16 have already been confirmed. Two of those teams are tournament hosts, with Canada joining Mexico in the knockout rounds. As audiences shift from Bangladesh Cricket to another decisive World Cup night, the Sombrero Army now stand one victory away from equalling their greatest performance on football’s biggest stage. Mexico may have flown under the radar before the tournament, but after four flawless matches, they are no longer a secret.