MEXICO CITY – A former Mexican national team player who competed in the 1978 World Cup believes his homeland has its best chance yet to overcome a decades-long tournament barrier when the global soccer championship comes to North America this summer.
Leonardo Cuellar, the 73-year-old former midfielder who donned Mexico’s national colors nearly five decades ago, shared his optimism about breaking what’s known as the “fifth-game” jinx – the team’s historical struggle to advance beyond the round of 16.
“My heart says so, and so does part of my head,” Cuellar told Reuters during a recent interview. “I think this time we’re going to make it.”
The upcoming tournament will mark the third time Mexico serves as a World Cup host nation, sharing duties with Canada and the United States from June 11 through July 19. This expanded 48-team format means Mexico must now win an additional round-of-32 match before even reaching their traditional stumbling point, adding complexity to their quest.
Despite his confidence, Cuellar, who also competed in the 1972 Munich Olympics, cautioned the current roster against premature expectations.
“If you’re already thinking about the fifth game, you might get stuck before that and not even have the opportunity,” he advised. “They need to concentrate on game by game, let their moment build.”
The veteran player praised head coach Javier Aguirre, who’s leading “El Tri” for his third tenure, working alongside assistant coach and former star Rafael Marquez. Cuellar highlighted Mexico’s European-based talent, including Edson Alvarez, Raul Jimenez, and Julian Araujo, as potential difference-makers, though he emphasized that overseas experience alone won’t guarantee success.
Beyond the field, Cuellar voiced frustration with FIFA’s pricing strategy, arguing it has excluded Mexico’s most passionate supporters.
“Now the prices have been set very, very far above the means of our society … that die-hard fan … the one who is always there supporting, will now have to settle for a big screen.”
The former international also highlighted potential complications for Mexican supporters living in the United States under President Donald Trump’s intensified immigration enforcement policies.
“Those in the U.S. with green cards or temporary visas could find themselves caught up in legal proceedings,” Cuellar warned, noting this reality may influence many fans’ decisions about attending matches.
Amnesty International reported last month that widespread arrests and deportations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have disrupted communities and could impact World Cup festivities.
