Jorge Sánchez stays grounded after Mexico secures Round of 32 spot
Mexico clinched top spot in Group A after beating South Korea, ensuring their next knockout game will be played at Estadio Azteca.
Mexico defender Jorge Sánchez is urging his team to remain grounded after officially securing their place in the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup. A victory over South Korea in their second group match guaranteed "El Tricolor" the top spot in Group A.
The achievement marks a historic milestone for Mexico, as it is only the second time in their history they have finished as group winners, matching their performance from the 2002 World Cup under Javier Aguirre. Despite the success, Sánchez insists the team must take things one step at a time.
I don't have to say anything about how far we are going to go. We are just going day by day, step by step, enjoying every moment, striving to be different in every match and well, doing things right. Jorge Sánchez
A key benefit of topping the group is the opportunity to play the Round of 32 match at the iconic Estadio Azteca rather than traveling to Los Angeles. The squad is buoyed by this, knowing the home crowd will provide a vital advantage during the high-stakes knockout phase.
Sánchez also praised South Korea, acknowledging them as a difficult and disciplined opponent. He emphasized that every game in the tournament remains a challenge, and the team’s focus is on maintaining the same intensity and desire as they move forward into the later stages of the competition.