Africa sets record: nine teams advance to the World Cup

The challenge of direct elimination

The Mexican National Team ran out of time to celebrate. The group stage was left behind with three wins, but now come the final series. Ecuador will be the first rival in a duel that does not forgive mistakes.

Armando González, Tri forward, was clear when speaking from the High Performance Center. “We continue with the same mentality, the same commitment. Since we arrived we knew that we had to do important things and the first objective was already achieved, which was to qualify first, now comes the important thing that is to kill or die,” he declared.

The Chivas player also highlighted that the team learned and corrected during the first phase. “Everything we did in the group was left behind, we learned what we had to learn, we corrected what we had to correct and now comes the important thing,” he added.

No confidence against Ecuador

González warned that they do not underestimate the rival, led by Sebastián Beccacece. “We know that Ecuador is an important rival, it’s not for nothing that they are in the World Cup and they made it through such a difficult group, so we have to do what we know how to do and go out and win,” he said.

The match will be played at the Azteca Stadium. For the attacker, the motivation to play in a World Cup qualifier in that setting “is something indescribable.” If Mexico advances, the round of 16 would also be in the same building.

Those led by Javier Aguirre have home team, emotional momentum and support from the fans. But the margin of error is zero. “There are no second chances anymore, we have to give everything,” González concluded.

The 2026 World Cup enters its knockout phase. This Monday, June 29, the round of 32 will be played, with three matches that will define the next qualifiers for the round of 16. Canada already secured its place after winning 1-0.

The day of Monday, June 29

The first duel pits Brazil against Japan at Houston Stadium at 11:00 am. Brazil starts as a favorite, but Japan is betting on speed and tactical order to surprise.

Later, Germany and Paraguay meet at Boston Stadium at 2:30 p.m. The match pits the German attack against the Paraguayan defensive solidity. The winner will remain alive in the tournament.

The closing will be at the Monterrey Stadium at 7:00 p.m., with the Netherlands and Morocco. A balanced clash that will deliver the last ticket of the day.

Each match is decisive. A victory maintains the World Cup illusion; a defeat, goodbye.

Broadcasts: Brazil vs Japan on ViX Premium World Pass. Germany vs Paraguay on Channel 5, Azteca 7, TUDN and ViX Premium. Netherlands vs Morocco on the same channels.

Mexico bets on Azteca’s height against Ecuador

With perfect progress in the group stage, Mexico has already secured its place in the direct eliminator. Now, Javier Aguirre’s team faces Ecuador with two key weapons: the Azteca Stadium and its 2,240 meters of altitude.

El Tri has not conceded a goal in the tournament and is looking to extend that streak. Their rival, Ecuador, has just surprisingly beaten Germany 2-1 and qualified as third in the group. The Ecuadorian press described Mexico as a dangerous rival, highlighting the experience of “Vasco” Aguirre, who leads the team for the third time in a World Cup.

Altitude factor: advantage for Mexico

More than 80,000 voices in the Santa Úrsula colossus will support the local team. But the atmosphere is not the only thing that works in favor of El Tri. The height of Mexico City, 2,240 meters above sea level, represents a physical challenge for Ecuador.

Sebastián Beccacece’s team was based in Ohio and has not competed at similar elevations during the tournament. His attempt to advance the trip to acclimatize was rejected; They will arrive in the capital just 24 hours before the duel. Sports specialists recommend, in the absence of time, the “arrive and leave” method to mitigate the effects of thin air.

Ecuador trusts in its figures who play in the Mexican league. Enner Valencia, forward for Pachuca, is the main striker of his team. Pedro Vite, Pumas midfielder, shone against Germany by qualifying for the next round.

The Mexican dream of reaching the “fifth game”—that is, the quarterfinals—is reborn at Azteca. Ecuador is the first obstacle.