Mexican soccer fever is a real thing. Even if you’re not a passionate aficionado most of the year, everyone in Mexico pauses whatever is going on in their lives to watch “El Tri” take the field. Businesses shut down. Traffic thins out. In many ways, to be Mexican means cheering on the national team when things are good, criticising them when things are bad and following their progress like a religion.
Being half-Mexican, my upbringing was no exception. I still maintain the penalty given to the Netherlands versus Mexico in the 2010 round of 16 was unjustified. I remember exactly where I was and who I was with when Mexico beat Germany 1-0 in the 2018 World Cup. Soccer is a deep part of Mexican culture to the point where I can’t imagine Mexico without it. But it turns out, I’m not the only person who feels that way. There’s evidence to back up this claim.
So, for those who crave World Cup action before the latest edition of the tournament kicks off in June, there’s plenty of great content to watch before Mexico plays in their first group stage game.
Good Rivals
This docuseries is centered on the intense sporting rivalry between Mexico and the United States. It has gone on for decades, and the show does a great job explaining the cultural impact soccer has had on both nations.
From the pride Mexico feels when beating the United States in their national pastime, to the rise of American soccer in the 1990s, the docuseries makes you feel like you’re right in the action. The interviews with former players, coaches, and journalists provide as sense of perspective and authenticity that often feels missing in sports series of the same nature. What I appreciate most about this docuseries is the fact it makes the case that both nations benefited from playing against each other.
Rafa Márquez: El Capitán
If there’s any one Mexican soccer player who you should familiarize yourself with, Rafa Márquez is it. Not only was he a beloved captain of the Mexican national team, but he also represented Mexico at some of the world’s top clubs, including Monaco and Barcelona. He became the first Mexican to win the Champions League in 2006, cementing his position as an all-time great of the sport.
The docuseries also examines the realities of Mexican corruption, the national tragedy of being knocked out of the 2002 World Cup by the United States, and the controversial “no era penal” game against the Netherlands in 2010.
The 1986 World Cup was by far Mexico’s most successful, based on their performance. It featured some of the most legendary soccer players Mexico has ever had, like Hugo Sanchez, Fernando Quirarte, and Manuel Negrete, who helped lead their nation to the quarter-finals, where they lost on penalties against Germany.
But Netflix’s México 86 will be centered on the untold story of how a Mexican bureaucrat managed to win the rights for Mexico to host the World Cup over the United States.
Releasing June 5, this film is part of Netflix’s long-term investment in Mexican cinema.
Brazil ‘70: The Third Star
Chronicling Brazil’s third World Cup win in a 5-part scripted mini-series, Brazil ‘70 depicts the emotional journey of how Pelé, Jarzinho, and Carlos Alberto made their country proud on a massive global stage. But 1970 was also significant for Mexico. Before 1970, Mexico’s World Cup past was rather more chequered and they were rarely considered serious contenders at major tournaments.
1970 wasn’t just the first World Cup Mexico hosted (and the first outside South America or Europe), but it was the first played on color television. The Azteca was beamed around the world in a way no other stadium had been before, and the legendary footage of Pelé being carried out of Azteca after winning his last World Cup is an image that will live on forever in the minds of soccer fans worldwide.
Though Brazil ‘70: The Third Star isn’t about Mexico per se, 1970 was the start of Mexico showing the world how amazing their country was on and off the field.
Are you excited for this June?
After losing in the group stage in the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa America, the nation is hoping that El Tri will turn things around with a solid performance this June. If history shows anything, it’s that Mexico tends to play better when they’re on home soil — advancing to the quarter-finals the two times it hosted the World Cup.
So, am I optimistic about Mexico’s chances this year since they’re co-hosting with Canada and the United States? All I’ll say is in Guillermo Ochoa I trust.
Ian Ostroff is an indie author, journalist, and copywriter from Montreal, Canada. You can find his work in various outlets, including Map Happy and The Suburban. When he’s not writing, you can find Ian at the gym, a café, or anywhere within Mexico visiting family and friends.
