| In Mexico, soccer started developing in different | | | | However, they would equal this performance 16 |
| regions of the country, with the first form of an | | | | years and 4 World Cups later, again on home ground, |
| organized championship being the Primera Fuerza, | | | | as they would organize the 1986 World Cup, |
| which was a local league consisting of various teams | | | | considered by many as the most entertaining in the |
| around the Federal District area. Players were | | | | history of soccer. |
| semi-professional during this time, in a time where | | | | Nowadays, reaching the quarter finals of a World Cup |
| Europe had already promoted soccer professionalism. | | | | is considered harder than it was in the 70s or 80s |
| With FIFA gaining strength as an international soccer | | | | and although Mexican soccer progressed substantially, |
| governing organization, Mexico decided to organize a | | | | they're still suffering in major competitions when |
| national soccer organization of their own in 1927, | | | | facing soccer giants from Europe or South America. |
| called the Federacion Mexicana de Futbol Asociacion | | | | However, the future is looking a lot brighter for |
| (FMFA), who became a member of FIFA in 1929, just | | | | Mexican soccer in general and for the Mexico national |
| in time to participate to the first World Cup with the | | | | soccer team. |
| newly formed Mexican National Soccer Team. | | | | Club soccer in the country is now deemed as one of |
| Although participating in the first World Cup, the | | | | the richest in the Americas and some powerful clubs |
| Mexico soccer team wasn't considered a soccer | | | | take part in the Copa Libertadores, a competition |
| power at that time, which was confirmed by their | | | | that was normally allowed only for South American |
| lack of results in World Cup qualifications until 1950. | | | | clubs. |
| Although the team was now a constant presence at | | | | Several top quality players have moved from the |
| the World Cup, they had difficult times competing | | | | Mexican league towards more powerful ones, the |
| against the more powerful European and South | | | | clearest examples being Rafael Marquez and Giovani |
| American nations and only won 1 match in 5 | | | | Dos Santos, who were bought by Spanish side FC |
| tournaments, against Czechoslovakia in 1962. | | | | Barcelona and are both important members of the |
| But in 1970, in an effort to promote soccer | | | | squad. |
| nationwide and seeing the economical importance of | | | | With these two players in the team, as well as |
| hosting a World Cup, Mexico managed to get hold of | | | | several other emerging talents playing in the national |
| the rights to organize their first World Cup in history. | | | | league, the Mexico national soccer squad looks |
| The Mexico soccer team managed to reach the | | | | tougher than ever and ready to beat their |
| quarter-finals on this occasion, which is still their | | | | quarter-final best finish in the upcoming World Cup in |
| biggest international performance to date. | | | | South Africa, 2010. |