Mexican F�tbol History

Mexico is a newcomer to the world stage of futbol. European immigrant groups and English miners introduced futbol to Mexico at the turn of the 20th century. Futbol was played informally until 1910. The Mexican Revolution interrupted futbol competition from 1910-1919. In 1922, a new futbol association was formed in Mexico City. This association led to the creation of Mexico's first national team.

First International Competitions

On Jan. 23, 1923, Mexico played its first international friendly against Guatemala. Mexico won 3-2. Adolfo Frias Beltran was Mexico's first national team manager. A series of friendly matches were played later that same year against Guatemala on Dec. 9, 12 and 16. Mexico won two of those matches and tied one.
Mexico played its next series of international friendly matches in 1927. The first was June 19, 1927, when Mexico fought to a three-three draw with a Spanish club team. The Mexican National Team lost to a Uruguayan club team from Montevideo 3-1 later that summer.

Mexican Futbol Association

On Aug. 23, 1927, The Mexican Federal Futebol Association was created. This governing body was in charge of the administration, organization and management of the national team as well as all futbol competition in Mexico.

1928 Summer Olympics

This was Mexico's first participation in an international futbol tournament.The Mexican National Team prepared for this event by taking on Mexican club team Asturias and two friendly matches against Spain. The Mexican team had two draws and one loss in these exhibition matches. Mexico advanced to the quarterfinals of Summer Olympics where it lost to Spain 7-1 on May 30, 1928. The coach of the team was Alfonso Rojo de la Vega.

First World Cup

Mexico's first World Cup was against France on July 13, 1930, at Estadio Pocitos, Montevideo, Uruguay. Caleb Castillo scored Mexico's first goal in World Cup competition. Mexico lost 4-1. Mexico lost all three of its matches. Mexico participated in five World Cups prior to 1970. The Mexican futbol teams fared very badly. The Mexican team recorded only one win, when it defeated Czechoslovakia 3-1 in 1962.

1970 World Cup Host

Mexico hosted the 1970 World Cup. This single event changed the direction of Mexican futbol forever. Mexico's National Team had its best showing when it reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup. By hosting the World Cup, the Mexican people fell in love with futbol. This single event created a huge explosion in the popularity of futbol, now the most popular sport in the country.

Professional Futbol League

Mexico's professional league was created in 1943. The Mexico Premier Futbol Division consisted of ten teams. The teams were: America, Atlante, Asturias, Real Espania, Marte, Moctezuma, Atlas, Guadalajara, Oribaba and Veracruz.

Mexican Futbol Today

Mexico hosted the World Cup again in 1986. The Mexican national team won the group stage and advanced to the quarterfinals. Today, there are 18 first-division professional teams, all broadcast on TV. Mexican club teams participate in South America's top club competition, The Copa Libertadores. Mexican futbol is now very competitive on the world stage; the national team is becoming a world power.