Javier Aguirre has never been one to shy away from pressure. As Mexico prepare to launch their World Cup campaign against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca, the veteran coach insists the weight of expectation is not a burden but a gift.

“Fantastic. I’m grateful to life, to my parents, my siblings, my wife. If I’m here now just like I was 40 years ago, it is a privilege, and I feel privileged,” Aguirre said on the eve of the opener, reflecting on a journey that has taken him from player to three-time World Cup coach of El Tri.

Aguirre, 67, was part of Mexico’s squad at the 1986 World Cup, when the country last hosted the tournament and reached the quarterfinals. Now, as Mexico share hosting duties once more, he returns to the same iconic stadium in a different role, determined to turn nostalgia into results.

“I consider it a privilege and live it as such every day; that’s where my joy lies. Being here 40 years later, repeating this scene now in another trench, in another position. All I can do is give thanks every day,” he said.

Mexico enter the competition as favorites in Group A, which also features Czechia and South Korea. Yet Aguirre has resisted the temptation to lock in a starting lineup too early, preferring to keep competition fierce within his 26-man squad.

“I haven’t spoken to them about the starting eleven. All 26 are very excited. They know they can do it, and they have no doubts that they’ll do well, in goal, in attack, in midfield, in defensive midfield. I have no doubts about whoever starts,” he explained. “Whoever plays will do very well. And I’m very confident about the goalkeeper position, as I’ve said for a long time.”

Mexico’s best World Cup runs remain those quarterfinal appearances in 1970 and 1986. After the disappointment of a group-stage exit in 2022, Aguirre is intent on using history as both warning and inspiration, including one statistic that caught even him by surprise: Mexico have never won an opening match at a World Cup.

“We have to break that trend,” he said. “That’s a good stat, I should share it with the guys. Another reason why we have to go out there and win the game.”