Mexican football fans have embraced a new rallying cry during the 2026 FIFA World Cup: “¿Y si sí?” — Spanish for “And what if we do?” — capturing the hope of a nation that has waited four decades to see its national team reach the quarterfinals. Mexico will achieve that milestone on Sunday if it defeats England at Estadio Azteca.
Undefeated run fuels national euphoria
Mexico has surprised supporters and analysts alike by remaining undefeated through the group stage and the round of 16, without conceding a single goal. The team’s performance has ignited celebrations across the country, especially after a victory over Ecuador that sent millions into the streets. The chant “¿Y si sí?” — short for “And what if we do win?” — has become a unifying anthem for young Mexicans who have grown up accustomed to disappointment.
“We’ve already broken the curse,” said Elián González, a 22-year-old nursing student from a suburb of Mexico City. “This team has given us so much hope. There are so many young players, that’s what has given us a boost and what can take us to the final.” González’s mother instilled in her a passion for soccer, and now she dares to dream of a title.
Home advantage and historical parallels
Mexico’s best-ever World Cup results came in 1970 and 1986, both tournaments hosted on home soil. Sunday’s match against England offers a chance to match that achievement. The team’s history at Estadio Azteca, combined with Mexico City’s altitude of over 2,200 meters (7,200 feet), is seen as a key advantage. England has tried to keep its base hotel location secret to avoid the intense serenades that Mexican fans gave Ecuador the night before that match.
Some English fans have expressed on social media that they fear Mexico more than Brazil. Memes comparing iconic figures — Cantinflas versus James Bond, Freddie Mercury versus Juan Gabriel — have proliferated, and bands like Oasis and Maná have joined the predictions. Mexican fans have not stopped celebrating since the team’s opening victory against South Africa.
Youthful squad inspires new generation
Carlos Cruz, 54, founder of a nonprofit that works with teenagers and now a city official, described the current mood as “a passionate, overflowing infatuation,” especially among young people eager to feel part of something larger and leave frustrations behind. The team features the tournament’s youngest player, 17-year-old Gilberto Mora, and naturalized citizen Julián Quiñones, who hails from a region of Colombia known for drug violence and poverty. Both have become symbols of hope.
“Mora is the one who gave us that hope that Mexicans can achieve anything they want,” said Areli Navarrete, a teenager who recently became interested in football. Omar Gutiérrez, a 46-year-old market analyst who played in the youth ranks of several Mexican teams, added: “We have a team that has played with passion … and we are eager, anxious, desperate for something to celebrate.”
Street celebrations and security concerns
More than a million people took to the streets to celebrate Mexico’s victory over Ecuador, but the festivities were marred by four deaths. Despite this, no one doubts that the capital’s center will be even more crowded on Sunday. Francisco Guerra’s 15-year-old triplets — Patricio, Jerónimo, and Juan Pablo — have watched three games live, wearing jerseys of their second-favorite teams like Germany and England. Patricio joked that his England jersey might end up burned on Sunday. The family has strong ties with an English family with whom they share a muted chat group.
Joshua Zayas, 19, plans to attend Sunday’s match. “We’ll buy foam, jump around, dance and de-stress, especially now that we just finished the semester at university. It’s really nice to see how we can come together,” he said. When asked about the possibility of a loss, Zayas admitted: “We’ll be incredibly depressed, and who knows how we’ll react. But let’s hope they do advance.”
