Former US national team goalkeeper Brad Friedel has ignited a debate surrounding Mexico’s prospects in the upcoming World Cup Round of 16 match against England. Speaking on ‘The Rest is Football’ podcast, Friedel shared his candid assessment of the Mexican side, characterizing them as “average” despite their strong performance leading into the crucial fixture.
Mexico’s Impressive Tournament Run
Mexico has reached this stage of the tournament on the back of a remarkable defensive record, becoming the first team since Italy in 1990 to win their initial four matches without conceding a goal. Their most recent victory was a decisive 2-0 win over Ecuador, with goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez. This success has fueled confidence within Mexican media, who are pointing to perceived vulnerabilities in England’s play, such as their narrow 2-1 comeback win against the Democratic Republic of Congo, as evidence of potential weaknesses.
The unique conditions in Mexico City, including the high altitude and the fervent atmosphere of the Azteca Stadium, are widely expected to be significant factors. Mexico boasts an exceptional home record, having lost only twice in their last 89 matches in the capital. Some observers and even segments of the English public have expressed concerns that these environmental factors could make a victory for England a near-impossible task.
Friedel’s Contrarian View
In contrast to the prevailing concerns about Mexico’s home advantage, Brad Friedel offered a starkly different perspective. He described Mexico as an “average team,” even suggesting they are “below average” and “so beatable.” Friedel, drawing on his experience playing against Mexican teams, believes their perceived speed advantage is largely a product of the altitude.
“Mexico are so average! I played against them for a few years, I know what they do. Because they are playing in altitude, they look faster than everybody else. [But] they’re an average team. Below average actually. They’re so beatable,” Friedel stated on the podcast. He elaborated on his strategy for England:
- “If England go there, I don’t care if they play a low block, a high block, anything, just get through the first 15-20 minutes, and they will win the game.”
- “Just don’t concede the first goal. What they try to do is suffocate you, so you can’t get your second breath.”
Friedel further analyzed Mexico’s gameplay, noting their limited chance creation in previous matches. “Just look at their games, they’ve created five chances in each of them. But the players are dead after 20 minutes because they are always playing this uphill battle. The altitude is no joke, the heat is no joke, it’s hard. But England are so much better than Mexico. It would be a complete shame if they were knocked out by altitude.”
Reactions to Friedel’s Comments
Friedel’s remarks resonated positively with many American football fans, who appreciated his assertive stance. However, his comments also drew criticism from others. Some questioned the logic behind his advice to England not to concede first if Mexico is truly that “average.” Others pointed to England’s recent performances as potentially more concerning than Mexico’s perceived mediocrity.
One social media user commented, “What is this man saying. If they are so average, why would you say don’t concede first? Clearly, he hasn’t watched any of their games.” Another questioned Friedel’s assessment by asking, “Have you watched England’s last two performances?” The former goalkeeper was labeled a “Classic American” by one critic, while another simply stated, “How can you do that? Mexico might win.”
Co-Hosts’ Strong Showing in the Tournament
The discussion about Mexico’s capabilities comes as the 2026 World Cup co-hosts have generally outperformed expectations. While football is arguably Mexico’s primary sport among the three co-hosting nations, with Canada favoring ice hockey and the United States prioritizing American football, basketball, and baseball, both Canada and the USA have also made notable progress in the tournament.
Canada advanced past the Round of 32 with a 1-0 victory over South Africa, and the United States secured a 2-0 win against Bosnia. These performances suggest a growing strength among the co-hosts, with the US, in particular, appearing to have a favorable path towards the semi-finals. Such a run would represent their best footballing achievement since finishing third in the inaugural 1930 World Cup.
The evolving perception of football in the United States, partly influenced by figures like Mauricio Pochettino, is also a significant backdrop to the current tournament. Friedel’s bold statements add another layer of intrigue to the narrative surrounding Mexico’s World Cup journey and their upcoming challenge against England.
