Mexico is lucky to be a part of the 2014 World Cup. However, all you need is a ticket to the dance and then anything can happen.
El Tri is actually in a rather welcome position considering how its greatest rival the United States was drawn into the most difficult group in the tournament. Mexico will contest a knockout round spot with host nation Brazil, Cameroon and Croatia. How will Mexico fare in the tournament?
History
Mexico has never had a stellar showing in the tournament; the best performances by Mexico came in 1970 and 1986, when the nation hosted the tournaments. In both tournaments Mexico finished sixth. Aside from that, there has been nothing remarkable.
Mexico failed in Uruguay in 1930 and did not play in a tournament until 1950 when it finished in 12th place; the team would fail to get out of the group stage in following tournaments from 1954 through 1966. In those five tournaments, Mexico would combine for a total of zero wins in 14 games.
The team would salvage its tournament in 1970 but would fail to qualify in 1974. In 1978 the team finished 16th and in 1982 Mexico did not qualify. The 1986 was a solid success but the nation was banned from the 1990 tournament. Since then Mexico has managed to make it to the knockout rounds in five straight tournaments; however, Mexico has never managed to win in the first knockout in that stretch.
How did they get here?
Mexico's qualification for this tournament is arguably one filled with embarrassment. After breezing through the first round of qualifiers, the team failed in the hexagonal stage. Mexico only managed two wins, five draws and three losses in 10 games and finished in fourth place. The team went through three coaches in the final months of that qualifying round and lost its final game against Costa Rica. If not for a late United States rally against Panama, Mexico would have been eliminated from Brazil.
Miguel Herrera was brought in to fix the team's woes and the result was a huge performance by Mexico against New Zealand in the playoffs; the team destroyed New Zealand 9-3 over the course of two games.
Main stars
Mexico's squad is a fascinating to exam. Herrera managed to qualify for the tournament without using European "stars" like Giovanni Dos Santos or Javier Hernandez and it is very possible that he may not need them for a run in Brazil. Hernandez was recently injured in a friendly against Nigeria and has been nothing short of disappointing for his club Manchester United. Dos Santos has not been able to regain a spot in the National squad.
Oribe Peralta is undoubtedly the main man for the squad and other players like Andres Guardado, Rafael Marquez, Hector Moreno, Raul Jimenez and Javier Aquino are expected to be instrumental to the team's success.
Can they get out of the group?
Brazil will likely destroy Mexico so the team's destiny will be determined by how it handles Croatia and Cameroon. Neither side is particularly difficult, but they both offer offensive power. Mexico should get out of the group, but there is no guarantee.
Can they win the tournament?
Considering their performance in qualifying, it would take a truly bold person to bet on Mexico winning this tournament. The team simply does not have the cohesion or star power to take down one of the greater powers. If Mexico gets out of its group (emphasis on the "if"), then it will likely fall in the round of 16 against Spain, Netherlands or Chile.