Juan Gabriel is not dead. His artistic legacy lives on as one of Mexico’s most recognizable symbols both within and beyond its borders. And on the eve of El Tricolor’s debut in the FIFA World Cup 2026™, one of his songs has found a new lease on life.
“Since I Met You” is about abandonment and suffering, but in recent weeks it has been embraced by Mexican fans as the soundtrack to their hopes and dreams in hundreds of videos that relive the national team’s World Cup moments across the tournaments, from Luis Hernandez’s goals in France 1998 to Luis Chavez’s free kick in Qatar 2022. But the lyrics matter less than the nostalgia that drives the song.
The encounter against South Africa will offer plenty of reasons for nostalgia. Javier Aguirre is returning to the World Cup with Mexico for the third time, Mexico City Stadium will open its doors for the third time for this tournament, and Guillermo Ochoa will make history with six World Cup appearances to his name. As if that weren’t enough, Mexico will face South Africa for the second time in an opening match. The coach has added a special touch: he entered his pre-match press conference wearing a retro jacket that evoked memories of the 1986 World Cup in which he participated.
"I clearly remember the confidence with which we took the field,” recalled Aguirre. “The confidence we had before facing Belgium—and how [then-coach] Bora [Milutinovic] drilled into us so much information about the opponent—made us feel that match wouldn’t go badly.
“I’ve told my players that this could be a good day for us, that no matter what happens, the fans will be behind us,” added Aguirre. “It’s going to be a celebration that will last for decades. I hope we start off like we did back then, on the right foot. Let’s not doubt our style of play or our mental strength.”
The session with the media was a trip down memory lane for the former midfielder and coach. “El Vasco” is a different person from the one who took the field 40 years ago; he is even different from the one who took the helm in the midst of the 2024 World Cup cycle, with the immense responsibility of playing on home soil.
“Today I have the emotional calm that the passage of time has given me—that inner peace—to understand the things I cannot control because they are beyond my reach,” said Aguirre.
The team's elimination in the group stage of Qatar 2022—Mexico's worst World Cup performance since Argentina 1978—forced the team to rebuild. The process began with Jaime Lozano at the helm, but another early exit, this time from the Copa America, accelerated the change.
Aguirre returned and established a more stable version during an atypical cycle, shaped by the absence of qualifiers. Under his leadership, Mexico won the Concacaf Nations League and the Gold Cup in 2025, signs that the project was taking shape; however, the end of the year left doubts following poor results against Colombia and Paraguay, as well as draws against Japan, Korea Republic, and Uruguay.
That uncertainty was addressed by overcoming tough challenges in the draws against Portugal and Belgium during the March window. The team also regained the support of the fans, which had seemed to wane, and now they head into their opener on an eight-game unbeaten streak.
But off the field, it is undeniable that the excitement surrounding this team stems from the opportunity to experience a World Cup on home soil. For several generations of Mexicans, that experience existed only in stories. For millions on Thursday, it will be a living story to tell, and only an iconic song by Juan Gabriel could accompany it.
