Mexico have sealed their place in the next round, and the team is changing, along with the country. Raul Vilchis reports from Mexico City:
In a March night in Guadalajara in 2024, Club América were winning El Clásico Nacional. Julián Quiñones, their star player, had scored and headed toward the sideline. Then a shout at Quiñones, who is Black, rang out from the stands. ¡Puto negro! A racial slur.
Moments later, monkey noises were heard in the stands. The scene was familiar to anyone who follows Mexican soccer. Cell phone videos captured it. Commentators analyzed it the next day. Officials condemned it. Investigations were announced. For a few days, the Mexican game went through its ritual of shock.
Then the season continued. Another match, another transfer rumor, another refereeing controversy. That June, Quiñones moved to Al-Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia, where he would become the league’s top scorer. The incident was lost in the vast archive of soccer’s weekly dramas. Or so it seemed.
Less than two years later, another Mexican stadium produced another uproar. This time it was a celebration.
On 11 June, Quiñones scored Mexico’s first goal in the 2026 World Cup, the opening triumph in a tournament played on home soil for the first time in four decades. Tens of thousands rose to their feet. Television commentators chanted his name. Images of the striker draped in the Mexican flag flooded social media. The same culture that had publicly denigrated him hailed him as a national hero.
You can read the full report below:
Alex will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s what’s left to play for in the group:
Mexico are through as group winners and will face a third-placed team from Group C, E, F, H or I. South Korea could match their points total but Mexico beat them so would be top on head-to-head.
South Korea would guarantee qualification with a win or draw against South Africa.
Czechia would progress in second if they beat Mexico, South Africa beat South Korea and they ultimately finish above South Africa. Should the win and finish third they may have a route.
South Africa progress in second if they beat South Korea and ultimately finish above Czechia. Should the win and finish third they may have a route.
You can read more about the permutations at the World Cup here:
