The Other Mexican World Cup Curse.

Much has been made about Mexico’s Round of 16 Curse following their loss to Brazil in their Round of 16 clash during this World Cup.  However, many are not aware of another Mexico World Cup curse which has already claimed its victim.

Mexico has failed to advance to the “Octavos”, the Quarter-Finals of the World Cup in consecutive World Cups dating to 1994. Mexico has only reached the Quarter-Finals of the World Cup twice, in 1970 and in 1986 which was when Mexico were the hosts. This curse has spanned over three decades now. However, it appears many are not aware of another curse attached to Mexico and the World Cup. Every single team that has knocked out Mexico in the Round of 16 since World Cup 1994 has never gone on to lift the World Cup trophy.  

In 1994, Bulgaria eliminated Mexico in the Round of 16 stage and fell to Italy in the Semi-Finals. In 1998, Germany scored two unanswered goals to defeat Mexico 2-1 in their Round of 16 clash, only to fall to Croatia in the next round. In 2002, USA defeated Mexico 2-0 in the Round of 16 and then fell to Germany in the next round.  In 2006, Argentina defeated Mexico 2-1 in a thrilling Round of 16 encounter and then Argentina fell to Germany in the next round. In 2010, Argentina once again defeated Mexico 3-1 in their Round of 16 clash and then also fell to Germany in the next round. In 2014, Holland defeated Mexico 2-1 in the Round of 16 stage in dubious fashion before the Dutch fell to Argentina in the Semi-Finals.

Well, Brazil defeated Mexico 2-0 in this year’s Round of 16 clash and then bid farewell after their 2-1 defeat to Belgium yesterday in the Quarter-Finals. The curse of eliminating Mexico at this stage continues and this curse also applies to those who have eliminated Mexico in the Quarter-Finals too. In 1970, Mexico were defeated by Italy 4-1 and then lost to the great Brazil by the same score in the Final. In 1986, Mexico played West Germany to a scoreless draw before succumbing to their opponents in the a penalty shootout, and the West Germans fell to Argentina in the Final.

Perhaps countries may want to practice some black magic to avoid meeting Mexico in future World Cup knockout stages. The same holds true for teams grouped with Mexico at the group stage. Mexico have qualified for the World Cup sixteen times. Only two nations have won the World Cup after facing Mexico at the Group Stage; Brazil in 1962 and England in 1966. Sweden's elimination today just confirms the consequences of facing Mexico during the World Cup. Ultimately, you’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t when it comes to facing Mexico in the World Cup.

The World Cup Curse of Mexico:

1970: Mexico eliminated by Italy in Quarterfinals – Italy lost to Brazil in the Final.

1986: Mexico eliminated by West Germany in Quarterfinals – West Germany lost to Argentina in the Final.

1994: Mexico eliminated by Bulgaria in Round of 16 – Bulgaria lost to Italy in the Semi-Finals.

1998: Mexico eliminated by Germany in Round of 16 – Germany lost to Croatia in the Quarter-Finals.

2002: Mexico eliminated by USA in Round of 16 – USA lost to Germany in the Quarter-Finals.

2006: Mexico eliminated by Argentina in Round of 16 – Argentina lost to Germany in the Quarter-Finals.

2010: Mexico eliminated by Argentina in Round of 16 – Argentina lost to Germany in the Quarter-Finals.

2014: Mexico eliminated by Holland in Round of 16 – Holland lost to Argentina in Semi-Finals

2018: Mexico eliminated by Brazil in Round of 16 – Brazil lost to Belgium in Quarter-Finals.

Mexico’s World Cup Groups

1930: Mexico  Argentina Chile France.

1950: Mexico Brazil Yugoslavia Switzerland.

1954: Mexico Brazil Yugoslavia Switzerland.

1958: Mexico Sweden Wales Hungary.

1962: Mexico, Brazil* Spain Czechoslovakia.

1966: Mexico England* Uruguay France.

1970: Mexico USSR Belgium El Salvador.

1978: Mexico West Germany Poland Tunisia.

1986: Mexico Belgium Iraq Paraguay.

1994: Mexico Italy Ireland Norway.

1998: Mexico Holland Belgium South Korea.

2002: Mexico Italy Croatia Ecuador.

2006: Mexico Portugal Iran Angola.

2010: Mexico Uruguay France South Africa.

2014: Mexico Brazil Croatia Cameroon.

2018: Mexico German Sweden South Korea.