Gold comes home: a familiar victory for USA Hockey

Gallardo: “Another tournament begins”

The Mexican National Team reaches the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup with perfect progress in the group stage. Their rival will be Ecuador, which advanced as one of the best third parties after an agonizing victory over Germany.

Jesús Gallardo, Tri side and Toluca player, spoke to the media before the game. Recognize that previous performance is behind.

“We are very proud of what we achieved, but we believe that now the good thing is coming, another tournament begins. We are motivated but calm because we have not won anything and we believe that we can make history.”

The match will be played at the Mexico City stadium. Gallardo considers that playing at home is an advantage, although they do not feel like favorites.

“I don’t know if we are the favorites, but we are at home, with our people, and we want to advance to the next round without detracting from Ecuador, since we know the quality of players they have.”

Knowledge of the rival

Gallardo was called up to last October’s friendly between both teams in Guadalajara. That’s why he knows the team led by Sebastián Beccacece.

“They are a very dynamic team that attacks very well, obviously the defense is also very good. But we have to focus on ourselves. Javier Aguirre will tell us about their virtues and defects, and we must take advantage of it.”

For Gallardo, who is playing in his third World Cup, the match represents a historic opportunity. Without triumphalism, El Tri seeks to continue advancing in the tournament played at home.

Matías Almeyda, technical director of Rayados, recognized the role of the Mexican fans during the 2026 World Cup. After a practice with the Monterrey team, the Argentine strategist highlighted how local fans support not only the Mexican National Team, but also other teams that play in national territory.

A support that transcends borders

Almeyda pointed out that FIFA should recognize the impact of Mexicans in the stands. “They fill all the stadiums, they support South Korea, they support Holland and they live football like a party,” he said. For him, that energy is one of the great assets of the tournament.

The technician also highlighted consumption within the venues as a key benefit for the organization. “There will be Mexicans everywhere giving joy, both in Mexico and in the United States and Canada,” he added.

Praise to the Mexican headquarters

Almeyda considered that Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey offer first-class venues to host World Cup matches. “The work done in these cities is excellent,” he commented.

Maintain trust in El Tri

Finally, he supported the Mexican National Team and asked to believe more in the national team. “We have to believe more in the Mexican because they can reach the final,” he concluded.

Early departures at the 2026 World Cup

Dos entrenadores presentaron su renuncia tras quedar fuera del Mundial 2026 en la fase de grupos. Escocia y Corea del Sur se quedaron sin técnico casi al mismo tiempo.

Steve Clarke left the Tartan Army bench after the team finished eleventh in the best third place table, just one step away from the round of 32. Escocia sumó tres puntos y una diferencia de -3: venció 1-0 a Haití, pero perdió 1-0 con Marruecos y 3-0 ante Brasil.

Clarke asumió en 2019 y había renovado por cuatro años. Según la prensa escocesa, David Moyes, actual DT del Everton, suena como sustituto de cara a la Eurocopa 2028.

Horas antes, Hong Myung-bo anunció su salida de Corea del Sur en una rueda de prensa en Zapopan, México. Los surcoreanos debutaron con un triunfo 3-1 sobre República Checa, pero luego cayeron 1-0 ante México y 1-0 frente a Sudáfrica.

“I am resigning from my position as coach of the South Korean men’s soccer team. I would like to apologize to the fans who love Korean soccer. We did not achieve the results they expected, and the responsibility falls entirely on me,” said Hong, 57, who was facing his second cycle.

La eliminación también provocó una fuerte reacción del presidente Lee Jae Myung. Se declaró “conmocionado” y exigió una investigación de la federación.

“When partisanship is prioritized over competition and unprepared people are elected, the result is inevitable. I apologize to the fans for this unacceptable defeat. We are committed to reforming sports administration,” said Lee.

Ambos estrategas dejan sus cargos después de que sus selecciones no lograran avanzar. Corea del Sur ni siquiera figuró entre los ocho mejores terceros. Con una sola victoria y dos derrotas, el ciclo quedó cerrado.