Why you should watch every team at the 2018 World Cup

Mexico

Four years after falling into an almost identical World Cup qualifying hole as the United States’ this cycle, El Tri enter their seventh straight World Cup after defiantly cruising through the Concacaf Hexagonal. Back in 2014, the famed San Zusi goal at the death of qualifying slipped Mexico into the World Cup, but they made up for a disappointing qualifying cycle with a quality performance in Brazil.

In a group with the hosts and Croatia, they beat the Croats on the final day of the group stage to advance to a round of 16 match with the reigning runner-up Netherlands. Their sixth straight round of 16 match (they had lost the five prior, dating to 1994) looked as though it was heading to extra time, but a likely dive in the box by the Netherlands gave the Oranje a game-concluding penalty-kick, which was converted.

Mexico’s prospects are good for this summer; excitement was heightened by a clinical qualifying cycle that featured barely a blip. Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez leads a talented attacking line just entering their primes. LAFC’s Carlos Vela and the LA Galaxy’s Giovani dos Santos join Hirving Lozano, Oribe Peralta and Raul Jimenez up front, with others like Alan Pulido in as depth.

Other pieces down the roster — including Gio’s brother and Galaxy teammate Jonathan — add to a roster poised for streak-breaking run. Headed by volatile and tinker-y manager Juan Carlos Osorio, they get to face Germany, South Korea and Sweden in a talented, but manageable Group F.