World Cup '58: Mexico Obtains First Point, But Remains Winless in Group Stage

By Steven Torres - ANCCIF President   (Posted on  9 June 2026)

Mexico advanced to compete at the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden, marking their fourth trip to the global tournament. At the time, only Brazil—who had qualified for every edition—held more World Cup appearances among nations from the Americas.

El Tri began to show signs of improvement from its three previous World Cup campaigns. The team obtained its first-ever tournament point via a group-stage draw, but they ultimately remained winless and once again failed to advance to the knockout stage.

Mexico was led by Spanish native Antonio López Herranz, who made history as the first coach to qualify El Tri for consecutive World Cups (Switzerland ’54 and Sweden ’58). López Herranz carried seven players from the ‘54 roster over to the ‘58 squad. Among them, goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal and defender José Antonio Roca were the only two who had three World Cups under their belts.

The Road to Sweden

With Concacaf not yet formed (until 1961), Mexico commenced qualification through its regional governing body at the time, the North American Football Confederation (NAFC). El Tri easily won all four of its group matches against Canada and USA, posting a dominant goal differential of 18:2.

To book their ticket to Sweden, Mexico then had to face Costa Rica—the winners of the neighboring CCCF (Confederación Centroamericana y del Caribe de Fútbol) group—in a two-legged playoff. Mexico won the first leg 2:0 at home and officially secured their place in Europe after a 1:1 draw in the second leg in Costa Rica.

Group Stage Battles

For the World Cup opening round, El Tri was drawn into Group 3 alongside veteran contenders Hungary, tournament debutants Wales, and the host nation, Sweden.

• Match 1: Sweden 3:0 Mexico (8 June)

Mexico opened the tournament before 34,107 spectators at the historic Råsunda Stadium in Solna. The hosts proved too strong, as Agne Simonsson scored in each half (17', 64') and Nils Liedholm added a 57th-minute penalty to hand Mexico a 3:0 defeat.

• Match 2: Wales 1:1 Mexico (11 June)

Three days later, El Tri ended a brutal nine-game World Cup losing streak dating back to 1930 by battling Wales to a 1:1 draw at Råsunda Stadium. Ivor Allchurch gave the Welsh team the lead in the 32nd minute. However, with just 60 seconds remaining in the match, Jaime Belmonte notched a dramatic equalizer for Mexico, delighting the 15,150 fans in attendance.

• Match 3: Hungary 4:0 Mexico (15 June)

Holding a mathematical chance to advance to the knockout stage for the first time in history, Mexico faced Hungary at Jernvallen in Sandviken before a crowd of 13,300. It wasn't meant to be, as Hungary posted a 4:0 trouncing. Lajos Tichy opened the scoring in the 19th minute and notched his second just after halftime (46'). Károly Sándor (54') and József Bencsics (69') added goals to seal Mexico's elimination.

Tournament Aftermath

As El Tri returned home to face the music in Mexico, Sweden and Wales advanced out of Group 3 into the knockout rounds.

The Welsh side's Cinderella run ended in the quarterfinals, where they lost 1:0 to Brazil on a historic goal from a teenage Pelé. Meanwhile, Sweden reached the World Cup Final for the first time in its history. The hosts also succumbed to the Brazilian onslaught, as two goals each from Pelé and Vavá propelled Brazil to its first-ever World Cup title with a 5:2 victory before 49,737 spectators at Råsunda Stadium.

1958 World Cup

Mexico Roster

GK: Manuel Camacho (CD Toluca), Antonio Carbajal (Club León), Jaime Gómez (CD Guadalajara);

DF: Jaime Belmonte (CD Cuautla), Raúl Cárdenas (Zacatepec FC), Jesús del Muro (Atlas FC), Alfonso Portugal (CID Necaxa), José Antonio Roca (Zacatepec FC), José Villegas (CD Guadalajara);

MD: Francisco Flores (CD Guadalajara), Alfredo Hernández (Club León), Jorge Romo (CD Toluca), Jaime Salazar (CID Necaxa), Guillermo Sepúlveda (CD Guadalajara);

AT: Carlos Blanco (CD Toluca), Carlos Calderón de la Barca (Atlante FC), Carlos González (Atlas FC), Crescencio Gutiérrez (CD Guadalajara), Miguel Gutiérrez (Atlas FC), Ligorio López (CD Irapuato), Salvador Reyes (CD Guadalajara), Enrique Sesma (CD Toluca).

TD: Antonio López Herranz (ESP)

Editor’s Note: Acknowledgement to ANCCIF North Zone Board Member – Marcelo Assaf (Mexico) for his assistance on this article