Mexico finishes ninth after World Cup 2026 knockout loss

Mexico was eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 3‑2 defeat to England in the round of 16, ending the tournament in ninth place. The loss marked the host nation’s worst finish in a World Cup they organized, slipping from earlier quarter‑final appearances in 1970 and 1986.

The match drew massive domestic interest, with the Mexico‑England game recorded as the most‑watched broadcast in the country, attracting about 60 million viewers. Following the defeat, coach Javier Aguirre announced his departure, ending his third spell in charge of the national team.

A separate controversy arose when a televised graphic mistakenly showed a yellow card for England captain Harry Kane. FIFA later clarified that the caution had actually been issued to defender Marc Guehi, not Kane. The clarification eased concerns that Kane would miss the upcoming quarter‑final against Norway.