The Mexican National Team returned to the center of the international debate after the strong statements of Landon Donovan, one of the historical figures of the United States national team and an old acquaintance of El Tri due to the many goals he scored during his career.
In 2025, as a television analyst, Donovan reignited the conversation by assuring that Mexico is not ready to compete at the highest level in the 2026 World Cup, a tournament that the country will co-host with Canada and the United States.
Alert on Tri’s worrisome level
Dona y cambia vidas
Tu donativo brinda terapias, esperanza y un futuro sin límites a niños con discapacidad. Haz la diferencia hoy.
During an analysis on national television, Donovan stated that the Mexican National Team’s current soccer performance is one of the most worrisome in recent World Cup cycles.
The team coached by Javier Aguirre, who came to the post with the mission of stabilizing the project towards the World Cup, continues to show irregularities.
Both in performance and results, which has generated uncertainty among fans and specialists.
Landon Donovan was blunt in his assessment:
“Mexico right now is in a really bad spot. It’s not looking good for them.”
“I don’t think they will fail in the group stage, but there is no guarantee they can compete after that,” he said.
He also pointed to the lack of soccer solidity as a real threat in a World Cup where they will be the home team.
Concern grows
It doesn't good look for them
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan’s words were echoed by former player and analyst Stuart Holden, who highlighted a phenomenon that has generated concern among experts:
The pressure of the Mexican fans.
According to Holden, the Mexican national team’s fans – one of the most passionate in the world – could end up affecting the team if results do not go their way from the start of the tournament.
Holden recalled the recent episode in Torreón, where Mexico drew 0-0 with Uruguay in a friendly match and was greeted with boos and jeers from their own fans.
“It’s fascinating. They tied 0-0 and the fans ended up verbally fighting with the players.”
“If that happens in a friendly, imagine a World Cup,” he pointed out.
The analyst said the pressure could be even stronger in 2026:
“Mexico, of the three venues, is the team where local support can come back to bite.”
“If the game doesn’t get off to a good start in the first 15 minutes, people will go off on them faster than they think,” he explained.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.