2026 World Cup Co-hosts Mexico will face Ecuador as they look to keep up their winning ways on home soil in Mexico City in the round of 32.
Mexico coasted to the knockout rounds, winning all three of their Group A matches without conceding a single goal. The highlight of the results was a 3-0 victory over Czechia.
Ecuador’s group stage campaign was a lot more dramatic. They opened with a 1-0 defeat to the Ivory Coast before drawing with Curacao 0-0. Meaning they needed to beat Germany to have a shot at qualifying.
Despite conceding just two minutes into the game, Ecuador fought back and claimed the victory they needed, with a scoreline of 2-1.
The winner of this tie will face the winner of England vs DR Congo in Mexico City again. Mexico will fancy their chances here with the home crowd, but Ecuador won’t roll over and make it easy.
How to watch Mexico vs Ecuador
Mexico vs Ecuador kicks off at 02:00 GMT on Wednesday, July 1 at the Mexico City Stadium.
The match will be shown live in the UK on ITV, with streaming also available via ITVX.
In the United States, World Cup coverage is available on FOX and Telemundo.
In Canada, coverage is available on CTV, TSN and RDS.
Mexico team news
Javier Aguirre won’t want to mess around with his squad too much given the success they have so far.
The Mexican defence has stood tall so far, keeping three clean sheets in three.
Johan Vásquez and Edson Álvarez have proved to be a solid partnership at the heart of the Mexican defence and will be sure of keeping their place here.
Raul Jiménez will lead the line for El Tri once again and will be hoping to add to his goal tally, having not scored since the opening game against South Africa.
Expected XI:
(4-1-4-1) Rangel – Sánchez, Álvarez, Vásquez, Gallardo – Lira – Alvarado, Fidalgo, Gutiérrez, Quiñones – Jiménez
Ecuador team news
Whilst Ecuador aren’t exactly a powerhouse name when people think of World Cup teams, they do have a lot of firepower.
In defence, they have two Champions League finalists in Pedro Hincapie and Willian Pacho. In midfield, they have £100m man Moises Caicedo and Sunderland winger Nilson Angulo, who scored past Germany.
So whilst Mexico might have that home advantage, Ecuador have enough quality and desire to make this one a tight contest.
With a fully fit squad, Sebastian Beccacece has a full contingent to choose from, but he likely won’t stray from his side that beat Germany.
Expected XI:
(4-4-2) Galíndez – Franco, Ordóñez, Pacho, Hincapié – Yeboah, Caicedo, Vite, Angulo – Plata, Valencia.
Mexico vs Ecuador stats
- Mexico haven’t won a World Cup knockout match since 1986 – a 40-year drought.
- Conceded just two goals across their current 11-match unbeaten run.
- Mexico have won their last six matches in a row.
- Ecuador have avoided defeat in 4 of their last 5 meetings with Mexico.
- Ecuador failed to score in their opening two group games.
- Mexico won all three group games for the first time in their history.
Mexico vs Ecuador predictions
As mentioned before, Mexico will fancy their chances in front of the home crowd in Mexico City, but this Ecuador side has shown they have plenty of fight in them.
Mexico have a formidable record at the Azteca in the World Cup, unbeaten in nine World Cup games.
Couple that with their stellar defensive record so far this tournament and Mexico is my pick to progress here.
That mean seem harsh on Ecuador. But they failed to score until they played a Germany side that was already qualified and didn’t look like the German teams we have seen in years past.
I don’t expect this to be much of a goalfest with both sides capable of being tight at the back and lacking a punch upfront – I’d go under 2.5 goals here.
If we are talking scorelines, I expect a narrow Mexico win. 1-0 or 2-0 would be my picks.
