Mexico face hosts South Africa in the opening match on June 11.
They have never lost on that day in four other appearances.
1958 World Cup in Sweden, they drew Wales with a goal by Jaime Belmonte.
1970 World Cup in Mexico, El Tri beat Belgium 1-0 on a Gustavo ‘Falcon’ Peña penalty.
1986 World Cup in Mexico, El Tri defeated Iraq 1-0 on a goal by Fernando Quirarte.
2006 World Cup in Germany, Mexico overcame Iran 3-1 with goals from Omar Bravo and ‘Zinha’.
They are facing SA and that day will bring a special feeling to El Tri when the eyes of the world turn towards them.
“It’s a beautiful thing that we open the World Cup,” forward Guillermo Franco said. “I like it personally. It gave me goose bumps: Mexico playing in the first game and what that will mean around the world.”
Manager Javier Aguirre also echoes that sentiment.
“It’s enormously exciting to open the World Cup,” he said. “It a unique chance, a historic chance. I hope when that day arrives we are up to it.”
They have another opportunity to add to their June 11th record.