Mexico, USA set sights on FIFA U-17 World Cup after qualification | OneFootball

MIAMI – Two Concacaf powerhouses, Mexico and the United States of America, are ready to shine at the 2026 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar later this year. 

At the recent Concacaf qualifiers, the two North American nations secured their respective qualification to the next FIFA Under-17 World Cup, each doing so with unbeaten campaigns during the tournament.

Mexico delivers near perfect campaign

In Group A, Mexico cruised with four wins while racking up 20 goals and only conceding two. While those numbers are impressive, head coach Jürgen Castañeda would’ve preferred four clean sheets.

“I actually was a little upset because our idea was to not concede any goals at all,” Castañeda told Concacaf.com. “We always said if we don’t allow any goals, we will qualify.”

“At the end the stats reveal that we were an organized team. We attacked but we were organized defensively,” he added.

Staying focused was part of the goal for Mexico, which focused on main areas such as transition play, defending against transitions and attacking a low block. They know they have the ability to score, but defensive structure is just as important. 

Keeping the group level-headed despite big results like a 10-nil victory Sint Maarten was also crucial because El Tricolor works hard on balance and emotional stability. 

“We always try to keep a good spirit in the group — to stay competitive and prove that we wanted to qualify for the World Cup. Along the way, that process generates a synergy within the team of unity, work and effort,” explained Castañeda.

Jakupović’s golden boots lead USA

The United States rolled through Group E with two wins and one draw, scoring 19 goals and only allowing one. Malik Jakupović led the way as he claimed the Top Scorer Award with eight goals, recording the second-highest single-edition total ever by a U.S. player in the U-17 Qualifiers.

After a brace in the opening match against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Jakupović followed up with an outstanding performance where he netted five goals as part of a 10-nil shutout of Saint Kitts and Nevis. The striker finished with a tally in each match as he scored the lone goal in the team’s final tilt.

“Malik is a competitor. He loves to compete, he loves to win, he loves to score, and he's a player that we that we believe in,” head coach Alex Aldaz told Concacaf.com.

“Proud of him for scoring so much, and that's the expectation for him and for all the other forwards. We’re just continuing to push and develop him that way one day, instead of seeing him play in the U-17 World Cup, hopefully we see him play for the senior team in World Cup,” he added.

For the U.S., the key was setting an example off the pitch so it can translate within the group during games. The staff, which was a large delegation of about 20 people, worked on creating bonds and setting a standard that allowed players to grow organically. 

“There is no easy path to glory or to special things happening for you as a team, and that involves adversity, obstacles, challenges, grinding, sticking together, fighting for one another, suffering and embracing all of those things that come with it,” expressed Aldaz.

“It's us against us,” he continued. “This is what we've trained for. Let's go out and execute what we've trained for, and always with the highest levels of respect, regardless of who's across from us on that field.”

Learning lessons

Both Mexico and the United States had smooth paths in their respective groups, but their final matches helped the teams grow even more.

Playing in a hard-fought contest at Trinidad and Tobago, El Tricolor displayed patience throughout a scoreless battle before its two goals landed in the last ten minutes of regulation. 

It was a testament to the team’s work at all levels, and the prize at the final whistle is what they were always building towards. 

“For Mexico it’s an objective that had to be achieved, and it was,” Castañeda stated. “Because Mexico always has to be in World Cups.”

The final match for the U.S. was a tough 1-1 draw against the Dominican Republic that saw it end with 10 men after a red card in the 78’. Not only did it teach the group about battling through adversity, but it was also a prime example of how the competition in the region is growing.

“We had an opponent that was very prepared in that last game,” Aldaz explained. “Their roster consisted of four players that are in La Liga academies in Spain. They had four guys that are in MLS NEXT. They’re certainly no pushover. And we love those games. Those are the games that we want.” 

Country pride

From here until the tournament kicks off, the process just ramps up for both coaches. 

Mexico will travel to South America and Europe for various matches of preparation. The U.S. will play in about seven friendlies, with focus on how the players are improving with their clubs when not part of the national team camp. 

Through all the time they spend in between now and then, when these teams take the pitch for the first match in the 2026 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, the objective couldn't be clearer.

“Hopefully Mexicans can feel well represented in November when they see us in Qatar. That they feel pride seeing their team play in a certain manner, be intense and aggressive, and have a winning DNA,” Castañeda said.  

Aldaz ran down a list of big names to participate in the tournament in the last 20-30 years such as Neymar, Toni Kroos, Gianluigi Buffon, along with Americans such as Jozy Altidore, Landon Donovan and Christian Pulisic.

“We offer them the opportunity to compete in the most meaningful event that they will have ever competed up until now,” he said.

“It's for them to realize, ‘Hey guys, this is where we're heading in a few months.’ And what a magnificent stage to feature in and to aspire to do something that that that we haven't done before.”