Bielsa bears the defeat after Uruguay’s elimination in the 2026 World Cup

The wish of ‘Chino’ Hernández

Teoscar Hernández, Dominican outfielder for the Dodgers, already has a favorite for the 2026 World Cup: the Mexican National Team.

Despite growing up in the Dominican Republic, where baseball dominates, the 33-year-old had his first experience in a live soccer game. It was during the World Cup, when witnessing the duel between Spain and Austria.

But his desire goes further. In statements reported by the media, Hernández confessed his support for the Tricolor:

“I want Mexico to win. There are too many Mexican friends throughout my career and I would like God to help them so they can win the World Cup.”

“Chino” has been a key piece in the Dodgers’ two-time championship. His link with Mexico is no coincidence.

Dodgers and Mexican fans, a historical bond

The relationship between the Los Angeles team and the Mexican fans goes back a long way. Since the time of Fernando Valenzuela, the legendary pitcher, the Dodgers became the home of thousands of tricolor fans in the United States.

Today, Los Angeles is probably the Major League franchise with the largest presence of Mexican fans. That atmosphere was key for Hernández to adopt El Tri as his team in the World Cup.

The gardener does not hide his desire: to see Mexico lift the cup. For now, the dream still stands.

The night before the game: noise and passion in Santa Fe

The England team had a noisy early morning in Mexico City. A group of Mexican fans gathered outside the Marriott hotel in Santa Fe to interrupt the break of “The Three Lions” before the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 match against Mexico.

According to reports from ESPN, around 1:00 am, about 45 people gathered in front of the building. They carried fireworks, horns, plastic trumpets and musical instruments. The intention was to wake up the players led by Thomas Tuchel, a strategy similar to the one used before against Ecuador in the Round of 32.

However, the security device prevented entry to the hotel. The fans stayed on a pedestrian bridge about 200 meters away. There they chanted slogans for half an hour, until they dispersed without incident, according to the Secretariat of Citizen Security of Mexico City in X.

The agency indicated that the rally was called by an influencer.

The decisive duel

This Sunday, July 5, Mexico and England face each other for a ticket to the Quarterfinals. The match will be played at the Mexico City Stadium (formerly Azteca) at 6:00 p.m. The broadcast will be on Las Estrellas, Channel 5, Azteca 7, TUDN and the ViX World Cup pass.

The English team arrived on Friday, July 3, at the Toluca International Airport and moved to the hotel. On Saturday he trained at the Cantera facilities, home of the Pumas of Liga MX.

The preview already left a preview of the intensity that will be experienced in the stadium: Mexican fans ready to cheer on their team, regardless of the time or obstacles.

The confidence of the Basque

Twelve games without defeat, only two goals conceded and football on the rise. These are the arguments that sustain the enthusiasm of the Mexican National Team before facing England in the round of 16 of the World Cup.

“Believe” is the word that Javier Aguirre repeats before the duel at the Mexico City Stadium.

“If I didn’t believe we could beat England, I would even tell you, but I fervently believe in how the team works. We know it will be a very close match and the one who makes the fewest mistakes will be the one who will win.”

After beating Ecuador, Mexico broke a 40-year streak without winning a World Cup knockout phase match. Today the mood is different, but the pressure does not change for the national strategist.

“More work in quantity, yes, but pressure always exists, whether it’s a friendly in the United States or in Torreón. The National Team has pressure, and that helps you grow, be better.”

The coach has achieved an unprecedented group unity in this Cup. Neither in Korea-Japan 2002 nor in South Africa 2010, according to Aguirre, had this connection been felt.

“I would tell you that this analysis is yours. I say it without fear of being wrong, because the three times I tried to capture these concepts that I have today, I’m sure I didn’t achieve it, it wasn’t as noticeable or it didn’t have as much of an impact, but we always put together competitive teams.”

The round of 16 match is this day. Mexico trusts that its defensive solidity and the support of millions of fans will make the difference.