The fifth-game curse has been plaguing Mexico fifth game curse, which has prevented the team to get beyond the round of 16 in the world cups. But there is optimism among the veterans like Leonardo Cuellar that 2026 will be different.
Cuellar, a former player of Mexico in the 1978 world cup and the 1972 Munich Olympics, spoke of his optimism to Reuters. So says my heart, and part of my head, he said. I believe our time has come this time.
The tournament 2026 will be historical as Mexico will be the host together with the United States and Canada between June 11 and July 19. They have a 48-team format, which means (with the 48-team format) that even getting to the fifth game now involves winning a round-of-32 game, making national team participation more urgent.
Cuellar emphasized on the need to be focused and patient. He told players not to be over-ambitious. Thou may well be before the fifth game thou hast not thought and hast no chance, said he. It is important to focus on a single match at a time to get over disappointments of the past.
The ex-midfielder also said he was confident with the head coach Javier Aguirre who is leading Mexico in his third term. Aguirre has experience and a good knowledge of the team, which is accompanied by assistant Rafael Marquez.
Analysts and fans are also optimistic. The fifth-game curse would finally be broken, and that would be a milestone to Mexican football where home fans would have an incentive to hope that the summer was historic.
