What is the history of soccer in Mexico?

Answer 1

By 1863, the English Football Association developed the rules for the sport of soccer. Today, soccer is a prominent sport in a number of European and South American countries, including England and Brazil, but the sport also has a long history and is popular in Mexico.

1. Early History

   • The Aztecs and Toltecs played a game similar to soccer, during which they tried to throw a ball through a ring attached to a wall. The modern game of soccer was brought to Mexico by English settlers, and the first soccer club was established in the country by the early 1900s.

   Professional Team

   • Mexico's professional soccer team was established in 1927. The team was known as the Tricolores or El Tri. The Mexican team played its first game on Jan. 1, 1930, against Guatemala, which it won 3-2.

   Early World Cup Competition

   • During its first World Cup in 1930, Mexico finished in last place. After this, Mexican soccer experienced problems, such as poor training conditions and corruption. During the five World Cups it participated in before 1970, the team only won one tournament, in 1962. Despite the poor performance by the team, soccer was popular among adolescents and older athletes in Mexico.

   1970 World Cup

   • During the years preceding 1970, conditions improved for the national team, as a number of state-of-the-art stadiums were built that they could use. In 1970, Mexico hosted the World Cup and reached the quarterfinals in the competition.

   Effects

   • After the 1970 World Cup, soccer became an even more prominent sport in Mexico. In 1986, Mexico hosted another World Cup and again reached the quarterfinals.

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