Spivgospodars ChS-2026 are preparing for the most difficult testing at the tournament.

1 linya Azteca Stadium in Mexico City is the scene of a hot Latin American derby: the match of the 1/16 finals of the World Cup will pit teams from Mexico and Ecuador. After a perfect performance in the group stage, El Three are sticking to their first serious tryout in the playoffs.

Head coach of the Mexico national team Javier Aguirre said that the home stands themselves will become a major factor in the upcoming match. Since the very beginning of the tournament, matches of the national team have attracted tens of thousands of loyal fans.

" We know that the whole country is behind us, and that motivates us. You can gain a lot by simply keeping an eye on the team's training sessions: they are serious about working hard and being disciplined. “We’re going to get really good now,” Aguirre said during the press conference on Monday.

Mexico reached the playoffs from first place in Group A, having achieved three victories in three matches (over PAR and the Czech Republic) and without conceding a goal. Ecuador, on the other hand, was placed third in group E, having missed out on Germany and Cote d'Ivoire, but the victory over the Germans increased the team's high potential.

Football player of the Mexican national team and Atletico de Madrid, Obed Vargas, noted that the “dry” series has given the team a sense of urgency, rather than relax early:.

" It will be a very important match. If we can’t overcome it, we can overcome it. We need such a mood, and we will go out and give everything for this country."

Beyond the crazy support of fans, geography plays a role in Mexico's battles. The capital is located at an altitude of 2240 meters above the sea level, which traditionally creates problems for super teams. Wanting to collect Ecuador, it was necessary to compete at an even higher altitude near Quito (2850 meters), its training base for this World Championship was located in Ohio (USA).

Sebastian Beccachese's team has a lot of matches with high-flying minds during the tournament. The Ecuadorians were planning to postpone their arrival to Mexico City earlier in order to undergo acclimatization, otherwise they would arrive in the capital only 24 years before the starting whistle.

The history of the remaining close matches of these teams shows their jealousy: the remaining three head-to-head matches ended in draws, including the friendly game at the World Cup 2025 (1:1). Surviving this intriguing Latin American competition will seal the way to the 1/8 finals, and you will be able to compete with the winner of the bet between England and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.. This match will take place on June 1 at 19:00 in Atlanta.