One FIFA Confederations Cup, nine CONCACAF championships, six CONCACAF Gold Cups, one North American Nationals Cup and two NAFC Championships make Mexico one of the most succesful teams in world football and a giant of South America. Their importance to the sport's history goes beyond the silverware cabinet, however: Mexico also played the very first game of the very first World Cup, against France in July 1930, and have hosted the tournament twice, in 1970 and 1986. An emphatic 2-0 win over France was the highlight of a decent World Cup showing for the side in 2010, which coach José Manuel de la Torre will be looking to build on as 2014 approaches and the brilliant likes of Javier Hernandez turn their attention to Rio.
